BY LIONEL TAORAO
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
Ulawa Island’s clinics in the Makira Ulawa Province are grappling with a concerning rise in malaria-positive cases, leading to a shortage of malaria drugs.
Reports from Taheramo clinic’s microscopist, Mr. Venasio Hou, along with the other three clinics on Ulawa (Tawairamo, Su’u lopo, and Haupala), indicate a high number of malaria-positive cases, particularly Plasmodium falciparum (PF) compared to previous years.
“We have observed a significant increase in individuals testing positive for malaria, especially with Plasmodium falciparum, as opposed to Plasmodium Vivax, in the clinics across Ulawa Island. This is concerning because it has resulted in a shortage of malaria drugs in our clinics,” states Mr. Venasio Hou.
Mrs. Angela Teku, the nurse In-Charge at Taheramo clinic, confirms the drug shortage and mentions that they are currently rationing their remaining stock of malaria drugs and Panadol while awaiting their orders from the National Medical Stores.
“In the interim, we are carefully distributing our medicines while we await the arrival of our drug orders. Over the past few weeks, we have attended to many patients afflicted with malaria, as noted by our microscopist. It is crucial that communities take precautionary measures and initiate clean-up efforts around their homes to prevent malaria,” emphasizes Mrs. Angela.
Mr. Selwyn Warito, the Makira Ulawa Provincial Principal Health Promotion Officer (PHPO), who toured Ulawa Island last week, emphasizes the need for communities to conduct clean-up campaigns in their villages to combat malaria. He also encourages families to prioritize consuming nutritious food.
“At present, clinics across Ulawa Island are facing a shortage of malaria drugs due to the high number of malaria-positive cases. Therefore, communities in Ulawa Island must actively participate in cleaning up their homes and villages to eradicate malaria. This is a life-threatening disease, and everyone must take precautionary measures and consume a healthy diet to strengthen their immune systems,” advises Mr. Selwyn Warito.
In response, the Taheramo clinic’s committee has decided that all communities within the clinic’s catchment area will organize a large-scale clean-up campaign from Wednesday, May 17th, to Friday, May 19th. The campaign will be supervised by the recently appointed Health Promotion Officer on Ulawa Island the following week.
