Malaria checks in villages

A MEDICAL team from Ramu NiCo Management’s Basamuk refinery travelled to Yalau block near Mingming village in Raicoast district, Madang, last week to conduct free medical tests as part of its activity to mark the National Mining Safety Week.
Two medical officers, including Basamuk refinery medical superintendent Dr Meng Mung and community health worker, Paul Konare, with assistance from officers of the community affairs department met with more than 100 local people to conduct health awareness followed by free medical tests.
Konare began the awareness with stern warnings and preventative measures against contracting HIV/AIDS before moving on to malaria, another killer disease common in the tropics.
On the issue of HIV/AIDS, he emphasised that people must be faithful to one sex partner and respect their own lives if they want to live longer.
Meng added that condoms were not 100% safe, therefore people must be extra careful and respect their own lives and not turn to reckless sexual activities.
Following the awareness, Meng and Konare conducted ICT malaria cassette tests on men, women and children.
Many of those gathered voluntarily gave their blood samples because of the fear having malaria virus in their system.
Konare explained that ICT malaria cassette test is a rapid, in vitro diagnostic test for detection of circulating plasmodium falciparum antigens and an antigen that is common to all four species of malaria-spreading mosquitoes.
The villagers were thrilled because following the rapid malaria test, they were treated and even given free treated mosquito nets to take home.
The villagers were also supplied condoms.
Yalau block spokesman Imoro Bou thanked Ramu NiCo for bringing such medical attention to the people in the villages.
He said it was a good sign that Ramu NiCo was reaching out to help the community.