A coordinated effort among various statutory health agencies, will provide comprehensive emergency medical support during the Papal Visit this week. Operating under the joint command of the Department of Health, the collaboration involves the National St John Ambulance (NStJA) Council, Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH), the NCD Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA), the PNG National Emergency Medical Team (PNGEMT), and the West Sepik Provincial Health Authority. The joint health support operations will begin on Friday 06 September and continue through to Monday 09 September 2024 when the Papal delegation departs Papua New Guinea. Over 35,000 people are expected to attend ceremonies on Sunday 08 Sep and Monday 09 Sep at Sir John Guise Stadium. Dr Gary Nou, National EMT Lead for the Department of Health, said, “the Pope’s visit could be one of the largest gatherings of people at a single event in PNG’s modern history.” “Our priority is being well-prepared for the expected medical needs during the event. As with any event of this size, adequate crowd control is vital, and we ask people to move sensibly around the venue to prevent situations where crowd crush may occur.” “We have baseline plans in place to manage a situation where many people may require assistance at the same time.” To manage the expected medical needs, PNG EMT, PMGH and NStJA will establish an advanced care medical centre (ACMC) at the Stadium. The ACMC will be staffed by a skilled team of doctors and nurses from PMGH, NCDPHA, and NStJA. The ACMC’s objective is to treat patients on site. Complex cases will be stabilised and referred to hospital as needed. In addition to the ACMC, nine first aid posts will be placed around the stadium, each manned by NStJA volunteer first responders. To further enhance emergency coverage, four additional NStJA ambulances, staffed by ambulance officers, will supplement the six ambulances already operating in NCD as part of NStJA’s normal emergency services. These extra ambulances will be on standby to respond to any serious incidents. NStJA will also deploy a critical care ambulance and a quick response vehicle to support the Papal delegation. The critical care medical team will accompany the Papal Delegation to Vanimo, returning the same day. To ensure adequate coverage for this large event, NStJA has recalled off-duty staff to assist with the event. NStJA have also recruited and trained an additional 40 volunteer first responder. In total there will be around 150 trained first responder volunteers and health professionals engaged in providing support to the Papal Delegation.