In Papua New Guinea (PNG) primary health care in rural areas is principally provided by aid post orderlies (APO's). During 1979-80, all 110 aid posts in Enga Province were visited; 20% were found to be unstaffed. All APO's were from the province and about 50% were providing satisfactory service. Aid posts were judged on standard of cleanliness, daily patient attendance, number of inpatients, number of family planning consultations provided weekly and on the attendance record of TB and leprosy patients. Aid posts usually had sufficient supplies of basic drugs. Despite the presence of a good APO training school in Enga, the standard of graduates was very variable and some of the best APO's in the province had minimal training over 30 years previously. Tribal warfare in Enga continues to be a threat to the delivery of primary health care.
