PNG ranks second to Africa in malaria stats

By LUKE KAMA
PAPUA New Guinea has the highest malaria burden in the whole world apart from Africa, says deputy Health Secretary Dr Paison Dakulala, pictured.
This is despite a reduction in the number of cases.
Dakulala said during a World Malaria Day event yesterday at Saint John’s Primary School at Kuriva, Central, that malaria was one of the biggest national health concerns in PNG.
“Apart from Africa, PNG has the highest malaria burden in the world,” he said.
“Despite being a preventable and curable disease, our
|people continue to die from malaria.
“That’s why, it requires real commitment from Government to control and eliminate malaria in the country.”
Dakulala said the issue of addressing malaria was becoming complex with the movement of people and changes in environment and climate caused by global warming.
“To address it effectively and efficiently, we need the support of everyone to work as a team,” he said.
“The Government, development partners and donors, civil society, and most importantly the citizens of this country, need to
work together to control and eliminate malaria.”
Dakulala said there had been a decline in malaria cases throughout the country.
“We have made progress over the past years and have seen a decline in the cases of malaria cases, but we still remain as the highest malaria-burdened nation in the world,” he said.
“The challenge now is for Government to make real commitment, as well for all the players to work together as a team to fight against malaria in PNG.”
The event was attended by Rotary against Malaria, National Department of Health, World Health Organisation, Australian High Commission, Chinese Embassy, Ramu Agri Industries, Kairuku-Hiri MP Peter Isoaimo, staff and students from Saint John’s and Vanapa primary school and locals from Kuriva.