Malaria project begins

ROTARY International, under its rotarians against malaria (RAM) programme, has embarked on a pilot project trialed in May targeting seven provinces that are known for high prevalence of malaria incidences and deaths in Papua New Guinea.
The provinces are Madang, Morobe, Milne Bay, Gulf, Central, Western and Northern.
RAM Northern home-based management officer Gideon Pokowas, speaking at a recent gathering at Togaho village in Northern recently, said the main objective of this pilot project was to train community malaria volunteer (CMV) workers to be based in their respective communities to treat and diagnose malaria early.
He said the concept by Rotary International under its RAM programme was a practical concept that would save many lives from being lost through malaria.
Pokowas said this at the conclusion of a three-day CMV workers training at Togaho village last month.
He said the presence of CMVs complemented an area’s health services.
Pokowas said with knowledge on how to treat and protect against malaria unnecessary deaths would be avoided.
He said many deaths from malaria had been because people had been slow in reaching health centres due to a lack of transport or the absence of community health workers.
Pokowas thanked the Rotary International for initiating the concept in Northern and the other six provinces.