Mendi, Papua New Guinea — The Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority (SHPHA) has marked a major milestone in strengthening financial management with the successful rollout of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS), completing its first official cheque printout and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) through the system.
The achievement signals a significant step forward in improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public financial operations within the province’s health sector.
The IFMS is a centralized government platform widely regarded as a cornerstone of public sector reform in Papua New Guinea. Its implementation ensures that financial resources are properly managed and aligned with national priorities. In the health sector, the system plays a critical role in linking funds directly to health facilities, enabling facility-based budgeting, and strengthening accountability in service delivery. It also supports alignment with the country’s National Health Plan indicators.
Although SHPHA was among the last Provincial Health Authorities to implement the system, its rollout was underpinned by careful planning and preparation. The Authority established office space, procured necessary equipment, conducted user training, and developed a detailed Chart of Accounts aligned with national health priorities and focused on strengthening primary health care.
The rollout was carried out with support from the Department of Finance Papua New Guinea and the National Department of Health Papua New Guinea. The implementation team was led by William Maihua from the Department of Finance and Martina Suve-Hohora from the National Department of Health.
Over the course of one week, installation and hands-on training were conducted, culminating in the successful processing of SHPHA’s first cheque and EFT transaction through the IFMS platform.
SHPHA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Birisi acknowledged the collective effort behind the achievement, thanking key stakeholders including government departments, the SHPHA Board, and the Senior Executive Management team.
“We might be the last to roll out the system, but the best is set for the last. I thank my hardworking team for their efforts in planning and organizing this successful implementation,” he said.
Mrs. Suve Hohora emphasized the importance of linking financial systems to actual health outcomes, noting that the effectiveness of IFMS depends on how well it is used to support service delivery.
“The system is one thing, but what is in the system is us. We wanted to ensure our money is linked to facilities for achieving health outcomes and meeting national health plan indicators,” she said.
She further commended SHPHA for its technical contribution to the development and standardization of the Chart of Accounts, which ensures that funding flows directly to frontline health facilities, including community health posts.
The standardized Chart of Accounts, now approved by the National Department of Health, will be adopted across Provincial Health Authorities nationwide. Once formally endorsed, SHPHA is expected to lead its rollout to other provinces as part of a broader reform initiative.
The successful implementation of IFMS by SHPHA represents a significant contribution to national health sector reforms and reinforces the Authority’s commitment to transparent, accountable, and effective health governance.