Papua New Guinea's prime minister has called on the international community to continue the fight against Malaria.
The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Photo: AFP / Peter Parks
Today, the World Health Organisation (WHO) marked World Malaria Day by calling for a 90 per cent reduction in global malaria rates and deaths from the disease by 2030.
During a recent Malaria Summit in London, PNG's Peter O'Neill asked world leaders to continue to help the most vulnerable.
WHO figures from last year showed PNG had halved the incidence of malaria since 2004, but recently the disease had been on the rise.
Mr O'Neill spoke of the increase of cases being reported in PNG hospitals, saying it was most often the poorest who were affected.
"Being poor does not necessarily mean that we should deny their right to a healthy productive life," he said.
"Malaria unfortunately causes the loss of many lives, unnecessary in many cases. It affects the most vulnerable, the children in our communities."
Mr O'Neill also pointed out the significant economic impact the disease imposed on the productivity of his country.
