Malaria, HIV down in PNG

THE prevalence of malaria and HIV in the country has declined in recent years, according to Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Michael Malabag.
He attributed that to the success of the public-private partnership approach.
Malabag yesterday tabled in Parliament the Department of Health 2013 annual management report.
“Malaria generally between 2009 and 2012 saw a 39% reduction in the number of reported cases, a 60% reduction in malaria admissions and a 50% reduction in reported malaria deaths,” he said.
“The prevalence of HIV is below 1% – meaning that we do not have a generalised epidemic as previously thought.
“This reinforces the fact that improved funding and staffing are required to see improvements in our indicators.”
He said the lessons must be translated to other diseases such as Tuberculosis by providing adequate funding and human resources to have an impact. 
Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu praised the Rotary Against Malaria for distributing mosquito nets to families.
Malabag said five provincial health authority boards had been set up in Western Highlands, Eastern Highlands, Milne Bay, West New Britain and Enga.
East Sepik and Southern Highlands will have their boards established in the coming months. 
“We have been overwhelmed with request from other provinces that are keen to implement the PHA as a vehicle to improving health outcomes for their population,” he said.