Plan contributes to reducing malaria morbidity, mortality

 By LEAH OMAE

POPULATION Service International PNG, in partnership with the PNG government’s national malaria control programme, implemented behaviour change communication (BCC) and home-based malaria management activities five years ago. 

That has contributed to the overall goal of reducing malaria morbidity and mortality since its implementation in 2009.

Speaking at a health expo in Port Moresby yesterday, John Tul, the interpersonal communication officer of PSI PNG, said this improved knowledge, behaviour and participation of communities and individuals in the national malaria control effort through the use of long-lasting mosquito nets and malaria tests for fever cases.

“In the past two years, PSI had developed and rolled out the national communication strategy against malaria with the Department of Health (DoH) through mass media,” Tul said.

He said home malaria management was a strategy to deliver lifesaving curative interventions for children younger than five years old suffering from malaria.

“In particular, where there is little access to facility-based services by increasing the availability of services, including rapid diagnostic testing and ACT drugs, and the promotion of the appropriate care seeking behaviour,” Tul said.