Centre reports malaria outbreak

By MICHELLE AUAMOROMORO
HAIA health centre in the upper Purari in Baimuru, Gulf, reported an outbreak of malaria in the area.
A community health worker, Noel Tombei, told The National on Friday that there had been five confirmed deaths from the outbreak so far. The latest death was a premature baby who was delivered by a malaria stricken mother.
About 95 patients were tested for malaria of which 72 were positive, 22 were negative and one was invalid.
Haia is a village located in the remote mountains of upper Purari, in the Baimuru Rural local level government, Kikori.
Tombei said the number of deaths could be potentially higher because the area was remote and many communities were isolated.
“It is impossible for many patients to make it to the health centre on time to get treated,” he said.
“Many are dying even before reaching the health centre.”
A health team from Kerema was sent to Haia on Friday, by Gulf Governor Chris Haiveta to assist the local health workers.
“Four doctors and two health extension officers visited and stayed for about three hours,” Tombei said. “They brought four RDT (rapid diagnostic test) kits and a supply of mala 1 medication.”
He said they were able to deal with other sicknesses in the area but they needed help from the Department of Health to reach those affected by the malaria outbreak.