Supporting hearing health in PNG

In the heart of Port Moresby, a transformation is taking place to help bridge the gap in hearing health services for people with disabilities across Papua New Guinea. At the centre of this change is CSNU, supported by Australian volunteer Rainbow Apostol.

Rainbow’s assignment was part of the Callan Connect Project, a two-year outreach initiative that delivers screening and assistive devices for hearing, vision, and mobility across four remote project sites. Led by Jess Pyarambon, Program Manager for Callan Connect, the project is designed to meet people where they are – often in communities so remote, that access to basic health services is limited or non-existent.

'We go into the communities and screen people for hearing, vision, and mobility challenges,' Jess explains. 'If someone needs a hearing aid or a wheelchair, we provide it. Many of the people we reach wouldn’t be able to travel to the city for help, so we go to them.'

Empowering CSNU through volunteer clinical expertise and inclusive care

Rainbow’s arrival brought new energy and expertise to the team. With a background in paediatric and adult diagnostic testing and rehabilitative care, she worked closely with CSNU staff to strengthen their clinical capacity and support the newly established hearing clinic in Port Moresby.

'She fitted in so well,' says Baeau Tai, Director of CSNU. 'She was like a pop of colour for this national unit. Her character is warm and approachable, and our staff feel comfortable learning from her.'

For Baeau, Rainbow’s contribution goes beyond technical skills. It’s about visibility, dignity, and inclusion. 'People with disabilities are often neglected in PNG,' she says. 'We want to show them that we care and that someone is listening to their needs.'

Rainbow’s support was especially felt during World Hearing Day, where she helped the team to set up and run hearing screenings for the public. The response was overwhelming. 'We’ve been receiving emails from across the country,' Baeau shares. 'People asking, 'Where can I get a hearing check-up?' There’s a real demand, and Rainbow is supporting us to meet it.'

Supporting capacity for hearing care through partnership

By improving access to hearing services and strengthening local capacity, the organisation is working toward a more inclusive health system – one that recognises and responds to the needs of people with disabilities.

The partnership with the Australian Volunteers Program has been instrumental in this progress and supporting communities in PNG to access these vital services. 'We’re so grateful,' says Jess. 'Rainbow’s support is helping us build a team that can deliver hearing services across the country.'

As Rainbow’s assignment continues, CSNU has already expressed interest in extending her stay; a testament to the value of her work and the strength of the partnership. 'We’ve seen the trend,' Baeau says. 'There are many optical clinics in PNG, but hearing care has been neglected. Australian volunteers are helping us change that.'

This story was sourced from AVI's 2024-25 Impact Report.