IFMS Installed at Enga Provincial Health Authority – A First for the Highlands

IFMS Installed at Enga Provincial Health Authority – A First for the Highlands Region

In a significant step forward for Public Financial Management in Papua New Guinea’s Health Sector, the Enga Provincial Health Authority (EPHA) has become the first health institution in the Highlands Region to successfully install and launch the INTEGRATED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IFMS).

This milestone marks the culmination of over a year of dedicated preparation, training, infrastructure upgrades, and cross-agency collaboration — a landmark achievement in the drive for greater financial transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the delivery of public health services.

The successful rollout of IFMS at EPHA did not happen overnight. It was the result of thorough planning and coordination involving key stakeholders, including:

• Department of Finance (DoF)

• National Department of Health (NDoH)

• Bank South Pacific (BSP)

• Enga PHA Executive and Finance Teams

The journey began with comprehensive training programs to upskill finance and ICT personnel, ensuring readiness to operate and maintain the system. At the same time, significant investment was made in hardware procurement, network infrastructure, and ICT support, all tailored to support the functionality and security requirements of IFMS.

Stakeholders from the DoF and NDoH provided hands-on support during planning, configuration, and user onboarding. The BSP also played a vital role in linking the financial processing system to real-time banking services.

The official launch of IFMS at Enga PHA took place in July 2025, with the first live cheque transaction successfully processed and printed from the newly installed system at the EPHA Temporary Finance Office. The moment was both symbolic and operational — a shift from outdated, paper-based processes to a modern digital platform that promises real-time tracking, audit readiness, and better financial control.

This milestone means EPHA can now conduct budgeting, procurement, payments, and reporting entirely within the IFMS environment — a significant leap toward digitized governance.

By becoming the first health authority in the Highlands to adopt IFMS, Enga PHA has set a benchmark for other Provinces and Health Institutions across the region. The success of the project demonstrates what can be achieved when vision, leadership, and collaboration come together with a shared commitment to public sector reform. EPHA CEO Dr Vincent Pyakalyia commended the team and stakeholders:

“THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS MORE THAN JUST THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A SYSTEM. IT IS A COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY FOR THE PEOPLE OF ENGA. WE ARE PROUD TO LEAD THE WAY FOR THE HIGHLANDS REGION.”

With the IFMS now operational, Enga PHA is positioned to improve how health funds are managed and reported, ultimately supporting better planning, resource allocation, and outcomes in the health sector. The system will continue to evolve with new modules and features, strengthening public financial management systems and setting the foundation for long-term sustainability.

THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF PREPARATION, PARTNERSHIP, AND PERSEVERANCE — AND A CLEAR INDICATION THAT DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR IS BOTH POSSIBLE AND ESSENTIAL.