The Mosquito carrying Malaria bites at dawn and dusk – either early hours of the morning or when sun sets from 4pm onwards. Therefore it wise to keep your body covered and protected from getting mosquito bites at these times.

As advised, Malaria is endemic. Living in places like PNG and especially in Port Moresby with its dry and rainy weathers make it conducive for the malaria mosquito to thrive.

To ensure you protect yourself from getting bitten by mosquitos:

• Clean and empty out drains in and around your yards. Empty drums or tires or hollow containers where water is deposited. Prune the gardens and bushes around the houses. Its  where stagnant water is kept, that allow mosquitos to start breeding and multiplying.
• Buy repellent and mosquito coils for your home.
• Buy mosquito net.

Definitive treatment

Should you feel symptoms or sick, it is best you seek the appropriate medical attention. Paradise Private Hospital (PPH) checks Malaria by blood slides and RDT (rapid diagnostic testing). RDT was devised in areas where it requires quick diagnostics. After Malaria is detected in the blood, a doctor will prescribe the suitable medication and treatment to the patient.

This is the third part to a 3 part series on the topic of Malaria. 

Article by: Dr Polapoi Chalau

Dr Polapoi Chalau

Dr Polapoi Chalau joined Paradise Private Hospital in 2016 as their Medical Director with many years’ experience working in senior medical leadership and health management in the public sector. He served as the CEO of Angau General Hospital in Lae for 7 years (2006-2014) and previously as the Chief Surgeon of PNG & Specialist advisor to the National Health Department (1993-2010).

Dr Chalau’s many achievements include serving as the Honorary Senior Lecturer in Surgery at the University of PNG and was instrumental in setting up highly specialised training for surgeons at the country’s medical school. He holds a Masters in Business Administration- Executive (EMBA) from PNG University of Technology, Masters in Surgery and a Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery from the University of PNG (UPNG).

Dr Polapoi Chalau hails from Loamat Village – Rambutso Island in the Manus Province and is married with six children.

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CIG in partnership with Paradise Private Hospital (PPH) brings to their community, the Wellness Hub. A Hub that provides their clients and members of their community access to vital information on health and wellness issues affecting their community and useful information to help make better health and lifestyle choices.

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