Health in Northern Province, Papua New Guinea: official figures
64.1% of women in Northern Province who gave birth in the five years before the 2016-18 survey saw a doctor, midwife or nurse for antenatal care during their most recent pregnancy, 4th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 76.1%.
How many babies are born in a health facility in Northern Province?
33.6% of births in Northern Province in the five years before the 2016-18 survey took place in a health facility, 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 54.7%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many births in Northern Province are attended by a skilled provider?
37.1% of births in Northern Province in the five years before the 2016-18 survey were assisted by a skilled provider (doctor, midwife or nurse), joint 3rd lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 56.4%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many children in Northern Province sleep under a mosquito net?
77.9% of children under five in Northern Province slept under an insecticide-treated mosquito net the night before the 2016-18 survey, 2nd highest of 22 provinces; national figure 51.5%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow many pregnant women in Northern Province get malaria prevention?
31.0% of women in Northern Province with a recent birth took two or more doses of the anti-malaria drug SP/Fansidar during pregnancy (2016-18 survey), 7th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 35.7%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow soon are babies breastfed in Northern Province?
54.9% of last-born children under two in Northern Province were put to the breast within an hour of birth (2016-18 survey), 11th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 53.8%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow common is teenage pregnancy in Northern Province?
12.9% of girls aged 15-19 in Northern Province had already had a baby or were pregnant with their first child at the time of the 2016-18 survey, 11th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 12.1%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow hard is it to get health care in Northern Province?
72.4% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province reported at least one serious problem getting health care when sick (permission, money, distance or not wanting to go alone) in the 2016-18 survey, 10th lowest of 22 provinces; national figure 74.2%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow far are health facilities from people in Northern Province?
Distance to a health facility was a serious problem for 58.5% of women aged 15-49 in Northern Province (2016-18 survey), 9th highest of 22 provinces; national figure 55.7%.
Source: National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program) · saved copyHow Northern Province compares with other provinces
Births in a health facility (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 20 of 22, highest first. Births in the five years before the survey
| Rank | Region | Births in a health facility |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Gulf Province | 43.8% |
| 17 | Enga | 40.6% |
| 18 | Southern Highlands | 38.6% |
| 19 | Madang | 35.8% |
| 20 | Northern Province | 33.6% |
| 21 | West Sepik | 30.8% |
| 22 | East Sepik | 29.0% |
Children under 5 who slept under an insecticide-treated net (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 2 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Children under 5 who slept under an insecticide-treated net |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Sepik | 79.1% |
| 2 | Northern Province | 77.9% |
| 3 | Madang | 73.2% |
| 4 | West Sepik | 71.8% |
| 5 | Western Province | 71.2% |
| 6 | Manus | 69.5% |
| 7 | Gulf Province | 65.6% |
Women reporting at least one serious problem getting health care (2016-18)
Northern Province ranks 13 of 22, highest first. Demographic and Health Survey estimate
| Rank | Region | Women reporting at least one serious problem getting health care |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Eastern Highlands | 76.0% |
| 11 | Chimbu | 75.8% |
| 12 | Manus | 75.0% |
| 13 | Northern Province | 72.4% |
| 14 | Morobe | 71.7% |
| 15 | Central Province | 70.2% |
| 16 | West New Britain | 69.8% |
More on Northern Province: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Papua New Guinea
Sources
- National Statistical Office of Papua New Guinea (with ICF, The DHS Program): Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey 2016-18, Table 9.18: problems in accessing health care by province, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 051ea8481cf8…)
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