PAPUA TO BE FREE OF MALARIA BY 2030

Observing World Malaria Day on Friday, Papua has targeted to be free from the tropical
disease by 2030.
The head of the provincial administrations AIDS, TB and malaria technical unit, Ni Yoman
Sri Antara, said the administration had targeted eliminating malaria in the countrys
easternmost province by 2030.
He said the administration planned to distribute free bed nets to all families, especially those
in endemic areas.
We are targeting to distribute bed nets to residents of Yakuhimo, Waropen, Jayawiajaya and
Paniai regencies, he said, adding that last year, the provincial government distributed one
million bed nets to residents of 16 other regencies.
Ni Yoman said the provincial government would also launch interagency cooperation to stop
the breeding of malaria-bearing mosquitoes and improve sanitation in villages and houses.
All elements of society are asked to join forces with the government in the fight against
malaria, he said.
He admitted that the prevalence of malaria in the province had remained high because of the
absence of a joint commitment among all social elements to fighting malaria and mosquitoes
carrying the disease.