DUE to increasing cases of malaria in Malaita Province in the past months, government through the Vector-Borne Disease Office in Auki is currently touring various communities to conduct malaria awareness campaigns and distribute bed nets.

According to the distribution schedule, a team comprising officers from the Vector-Borne Disease Unit and Kilu’ufi Hospital’s Health Promotion Department has begun its outreach in the central region. 

The distribution started in Sisifiu (West Fataleka) and is progressing toward Afutara (West Kwaio).

Kemuel Iro, a health promotion officer involved in the campaign, confirmed that the distribution in the central region is well underway. 

He reported that the program has been running smoothly and has received strong support from local communities.

“We’ve been carrying out both awareness activities and distributing bed nets across the central region, from Sisifiu to Afutara. So far, community members have responded very positively,” Iro said.

He added that the campaign aims to reach all communities across the four regions of Malaita Province. 

Iro also expressed gratitude to the villages already visited for their support and hospitality in accommodating the health teams.

“Eradicating malaria is not the responsibility of the health authorities alone—it requires the support and cooperation of every community member,” he highlighted.

He acknowledged that some communities have experienced drug shortages at local clinics but stressed that these challenges can be addressed more effectively if everyone plays a role in supporting malaria prevention efforts.

According to a 2019 government report, Malaita Province remains one of the most malaria-affected areas in the Solomon Islands. 

The province accounted for 33.1% of the national malaria burden, making it the highest contributor among all provinces.

The government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating malaria, aiming for zero locally transmitted cases across the country by 2030 through a targeted, province-by-province strategy.

By SOLOMON LOFANA

Solomon Star, Auki