Chimbu first to trial malaria drug

CHIMBU will be the first highlands province to treat malaria patients with the new drug artemether lumefantrine, which replaces choloroquine in public health centres.
Some health workers in Chimbu are undergoing intensive competency training in their respective district groups on how to apply the new drug to patients diagnosed with malaria.
Provincial administrator Joe Kunda commended the provincial health division for successfully securing the funding from Global Fund to immediately mobilise resources to train health workers.
He said malaria had been one of the leading killers in Chimbu as choloroquine had already become resistance, adding it was quite satisfying to see provincial health authorities and partners managing to secure funding to train health workers.
“I also commend all the health workers in Chimbu for their contributions in effective services deliveries that put the province third in PNG in service delivery and first in the Highlands region,” Kunda said.
He made these remarks last week when officially opening the training for Kerowagi, Kundiawa-Gembogl and Gumine districts in Kundiawa.
The week-long training for Karimui, Sinasina-Yongomugl and Chuave districts, at another venue in Kundiawa, is due to end today.
Nationwide competency training coordinator Steven Show said the training was on malaria treatment protocol using artemether lumefantrine.