The National Department of Health will continue to roll out phase two of the Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) disease survey and drug administration in Papua New Guinea.
This comes after a Record of Discussion was signed today between the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Department of Health in Port Moresby.
The phase one of the survey was hailed a success hence, the progression to phase two to implement Mass Drug Administration and Transmission Assessment survey to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis diseases in PNG.
Present to witness the singing today were representatives from the Public Health, National Department of Health, World Health Organization, Japanese Government representatives and JICA Chief representative in PNG Masato Koinuma.
Representing the Public Health, Deputy Secretary Ken Wai said PNG has a large number of LF diseases like Malaria and TB which are neglected.
He said it has been a great challenge trying to reduce them.
Deputy Secretary Wai thanked the Japanese Government for their continuous support to PNG.
“On behalf of the Government of PNG, the Ministry of Health, the Department of Health and the people of PNG, I thank our great traditional partner Japan for continuously providing the support to Papua New Guinea. Not only in the Lymphatic Filariasis Program but other infrastructure development in the country,” Wai said.
Mr Wai highlighted the phase one survey and drug administration assessment report which began in 2014.
“I am told that the program started in New Ireland Province, there was a prevalence rate of 30% positivity but after the mass drug administration, it has gone down to less than 1%. That’s a good achievement,” Wai said.
“It shows that we can eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis in PNG,” he said.
He said with the success from phase one, phase two will cover seven provinces which includes New Ireland, East New Britain, West New Britain, Manus, Autonomous Region of Bougainville, East Sepik and West Sepik.
JICA Chief Representative to PNG Koinuma Masato said JICA will continue to support PNG to improve the livelihood and wellbeing of PNG citizens.
“JICA will continue to work in partnership with NDoH and all stakeholders to ensure we achieve the project outputs within the timeframe thus contribute to PNG’s Health Sector goals for building a more healthy PNG” Masato said.
The leaders and doctors who contributed towards this project success were acknowledged for doing a great job.
