Birth certificates issued to newborns for the first time at Mount Hagen Provincial Hospital

Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea, 3 August 2026: Mothers at Mount Hagen Provincial Hospital received official birth certificates for their newborns today, marking the first time birth certificates were formally presented through the hospital’s Birth Registration Desk. The birth certificates were distributed to mothers at an event organised at the provincial hospital by the Papua New Guinea Civil and Identity Registry (PNGCIR), the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (PHA) and UNICEF.

The milestone reflects the commendable leadership of the Government of Papua New Guinea, through the PNGCIR and the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority, in bringing birth registration closer to families. Together, The Australian Government and UNICEF are working hand in hand to strengthen civil registration and vital statistics systems across the country. The leadership of the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority has been instrumental in this partnership, including by providing the space and operational support needed to bring birth registration services into the hospital setting.

“Today’s landmark moment reflects the Government’s continued commitment to ensuring every child is assured their right to legal identity from birth”, said Mr. Leslie Simon, Acting Registrar-General PNG Civil and Identity Registry. “Birth registration helps children access the services they need to grow, learn and reach their potential. As Papua New Guinea advances towards Vision 2050, ensuring every child is registered and recognised is an investment in human capital, stronger national planning and a more inclusive and prosperous future.”

Birth registration is often described as a child’s first right. It gives children legal recognition and helps them access health care, education, protection, and other essential services throughout their lives. However, in Papua New Guinea, only 13 per cent of children are registered at birth. Without a birth certificate, many children struggle to prove their age, parentage or identity, increasing their risk of exploitation, exposure to violence, exclusion and vulnerability.

Since the Birth Registration Desk was established at Mount Hagen Provincial Hospital in November 2025, 464 birth registrations have been recorded, of which 228 newborns received birth certificates, and the remaining certificates are being printed and will be distributed soon. The integration of birth registration into health services, including antenatal care and maternity services, is helping families register children early and access official documentation more easily.

“This successful initiative shows that more children can receive birth certificates when registration services are brought closer to families,” said Dr Veera Mendonca, UNICEF Country Representative in Papua New Guinea. “Mothers understand the value of birth certificates: they give children legal identity and help them access essential services throughout life. Integrating birth registration into health facilities makes the process easier and encourages mothers to give birth where skilled care is available. By expanding this approach across Papua New Guinea, every child can be registered from the beginning and have the protection, identity and opportunities they deserve.”

With support from The Australian Government, UNICEF has worked with the PNGCIR to strengthen birth registration at both policy and service delivery levels. This has included technical, financial and coordination support for implementing the CRVS Action Plan; procurement of 44 mobile registration kits; establishment of birth registration offices in PHAs; training for health and CIR staff; and provision of awareness materials to increase demand for birth registration services.

The Western Highland Province milestone demonstrates how integrating birth registration into health facilities can help close registration gaps and reach families early. Continued government leadership, stronger coordination, increased domestic investment and expansion of birth registration through health facilities and outreach services will be critical to achieving universal birth registration for every child in Papua New Guinea.