MeriPath is a not-for-profit organisation set up exclusively to provide a cervical screening service for the women of Papua New Guinea. It was established 8 years ago at St Mary's Hospital, Vunapope, in East New Britain Province with the support of German obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Birgitta Bauer. Since its humble beginnings the programme has drawn huge interest from many health facilities in PNG and now receives pap smears from over 20 centres in 14 provinces including various church and provincial hospitals, private hospitals and company health centres.

The operational expenses of the programme are funded by Caritas Australia and follow-up biopsies are processed and reported at the Sydney Adventist Hospital.

The women in PNG are charged just a few kina to have a pap test and the money collected covers the postage of the slides to Sydney. When required, MeriPath will provide all consumables necessary for the collection of the smears.

It is mandatory that participants in the programme be able to provide follow-up surgery for high-grade abnormalities.

The programme has the full support of the O & G Society of PNG and participates in the Quality Assurance Programme of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australia (RCPA).