Kokoda Track Foundation in partnership with Papua New Guinea Counsellors’ Association recently supported a 10-day upskilling training workshop. This workshop was conducted from Wednesday 12th – Friday 21st of April at KTF’s Kokoda FODE College Located in Kokoda, Northern Oro Province and delivered a Basic Counselling Course to 24 eager participants. Port Moresby based PNGCA's Association facilitators, President Susan Setae and Board Member Momoru Nao, travelled to Oro Province to deliver the first-of-its-kind training for the Province. The training covered various topics including counsellor’s self-awareness and acceptance, what is counselling, ethics and confidentiality, understanding client needs and psychosocial development; and practical tools and methods utilized in counselling. An attendee of the training said that Gender Based Violence and Family and Sexual Violence is always there in the community, but there’s not enough awareness of where/ whom to see in the community. “There should be more counsellors in each community so people can know whom to see when issues arise.” KTF’s Project Zero aims to address Gender-based Violence, Family and Sexual Violence and Child Protection in Oro Province. KTF is proud to have implemented this inaugural training in partnership with PNG Counsellors Association to partners working on the ground in Oro Province and addressing these critical challenges. The attendees of the training workshop came from various local partners from Oro Provincial Government including the Department of Community Development, Provincial Division of Education and the Law and Justice Sector, Popondetta’s Family and Sexual Violence Unit, Saiho Police, Correctional Services, Community Health Workers and Village Health Volunteers from Kokoda, Gorari and Popondetta, Teachers from Kokoda, Gorari and Sorovi, Oro’s Safe House, women’s leaders, Anglican Church Diocese of Popondetta and KTF’s Kokoda FODE College. The training closed with reflections and a round table discussion on ways forward for these newly trained counsellors in Oro Province. The training will have an ongoing effect in the Oro community especially with survivors of GBV, FSV and child harm and aims to strengthen the referral pathways and support for survivors and fosters capacity building and growth with service providers for collective action. One participant expressed their determination moving forward saying GBV and FSV happens almost every day. “The workshop was an eye-opener for me!” “I learnt the skills of a basic counsellor and I will take these skills back to my school and profession and put them into practice.” There is an evident need for counselling training and investment in improving awareness of the challenges around GBV/FSV, as well as supporting survivors in Oro Province. Participants expressed that they are eager for any more training opportunities like this.

Mining Minster Sir Ano Pala and Rigo District Development Authority (DDA) has agreed to invest K2Million to Women’s Micro Bank to support women, girls and their families in Rigo District. Women’s Micro Bank Limited branded as MAMA BANK has partnered with the Rigo DDA to establish and bring financial inclusion services to the people of Rigo and setup a Mama Bank Agency in the district to enable the local’s access to financial services and credit facility to support the district’s economic plans in empowering entrepreneurship in Rigo District. This initiative was led by Mama Bank Chief Executive Officer, Mr Gunanidhi Dasa back in 2022 which has eventually paved the way for Member for Rigo Sir Ano Pala to organize his DDA to set up in Kwikila. Mama Bank and Rigo District Development Authority recognized that women in the District of should have proper banking services to save and grow their hard-earned money through access to financial services and credit facility. They should have their own bank account with affordable and adequate access to credits to enable them progress their entrepreneurship and contribute towards their family’s welfare and district’s economic development. During the MOA signing ceremony held at Kiapara Village in the Central recently, Sir Ano Pala told the women and people of Rigo that he is committed to support them through established arrangements such as financial institution in their entrepreneurial ambitions and not cash handouts. He said that this will create an avenue for his people to adequately have access to credit to enable them to play a more active role in the economic development and contribution of the district. The Chairman of Mama Bank, Mr. Noel Norikgu thanked the MP for having that confidence in Mama Bank to be a bank of choice to support the economic empowerment programs of Rigo district. “We felt obligated to provide the banking services that can economically empower all women, girls and their families.” “We've been placed in a space of greater responsibility as the women’s bank to be the major player for women and girls’ financial inclusion as captured under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy from BPNG.” “And today that is a responsibility we share with your prestige’s office and the Rigo district.” CEO of Mama Bank MrGunanidhi Das stated that the Rigo DDA and Mama Bank are prepared to consider the provision of loan facilities to borrowers through direct and through different available suppliers. This includes farmers who are unable to provide security of a type or in an amount which banks would be requiring in the normal course of its operations. This facility of credit scheme provided DDA will enable Mama Bank to go extra mile in serving the rural farmers in Rigo. Mr Das further explained that the Mama Bank is trying to implement the real microfinance concept in the country. Mama Bank believes that any credit scheme should link to the performance of the income generating activities. If a customer is willing to improve his or her own economy and a bank helps in access to finance, then automatically nation’s economy will develop. SMEs can be created and the Government’s ambition of achieving 500,000 SME by 2030 will be fulfilled if informal and MSME sector is taken care of properly.

Every year, thousands of babies are born in the country but sadly many of these babies die before they reach their fifth birthday. One of the causes is due to diseases that are preventable through immunization which includes measles, polio, whooping cough and tetanus. A national launch was held on Monday in Port Moresby to kick-start the Supplementary Immunization Activity on Measles-Rubella, Polio and Vitamin A by the National Department of Health, UNICEF and World Health Organisation. This is to raise the raise the country’s immunization coverage rate to save lives of children. The objectives of the Measles-Rubella immunization include: • Vaccinating all children aged 6 – 59 months with one dose of MR vaccine, irrespective of their previous vaccination status. A total of 1.2 million children (12.5 per cent of total population) • Vaccinating all children aged 0 to 59 months with one dose of b)PV, irrespective of their previous vaccination status. A total of 1.3 million children (14.5 per cent of total population) • Provide Vitamin A supplementation to all children aged 6 to 59 months • Strengthen Routine Immunization and follow Routine Immunization-focus campaign in selected districts aiming at catching up large number of zero dose children. UNICEF PNG Country Representative, Dr Claudes Kamenga said 80% of the population live in the rural areas and these children need to be reached so they can be immunized like the rest of the children in the urban areas. “Vaccines Work and Vaccines save Lives.” “Despite all the effort by the government and its partners, the coverage is only about 40% which is critically low.” “It is actually estimated that in PNG, We have about 280,000 children who have not received one single dose of vaccine.” Dr Kamenga highlighted that this is a very serious situation meaning that children who haven’t received vaccines or partially vaccinated are at risk of getting preventable diseases. UNICEF recently released a report showing that there was a decline in children vaccination in the last 2 years maybe due to Covid-19 pandemic challenges. That is why UNICEF is supporting this Catch-up vaccination program is important to build build back immunity against preventable diseases. Dr Kamenga further stated that Vaccination is a priority for UNICEF and parents with children born in the past 3 years, during the Covid-19 pandemic or children who missed out on one or more vaccines are vaccinated and kept safe from diseases. He added that UNICEF will work together with World Health Organisation and the National Department of Health to carry out a successful Immunization Program. The Supplementary Immunization Activity (SIA) on Measles-Rubella, Polio and Vitamin A, will be conducted by the National Department of Health will go for five weeks. Meanwhile, Health Secretary Dr Osbourne Liko said that even though immunization services are free at all government-run health facilities throughout the country, many children are still not being brought for immunization which is unacceptable. Dr Liko said SIA is an expensive exercise but it has to be conducted to save the lives of the children who are the future of this country. NDOH is encouraging all parents to to bring their children in for vaccination. The campaign will go for five weeks and will cover all the 22 provinces, including the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.

The Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards is back this year, bigger than ever before to celebrate the work of local artist over the last two years. The Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards will be hosted at the Lamana Gold Club on the 17th June, 2023. PNG FM Limited General Manager, Miss Rosemarie ‘Shaz’ Botong made the announcement this morning on the Yumi FM’s Kapmaus Show. “The idea behind the Yumi FM PNG Musik awards is giving recognition where it’s due to local artists.” “It’s been like 4 years since we last had a big party to celebrate the night for the artists.” “The last couple of years, we’ve just had announcement on the radio for the music awards.” There are 10 categories for this Musik Awards: • Song of the year • Best new artist of the year • Male artist of the year • Female artist of the year • Group/Duo of the year award • Artist of the year • Producer of the year • Registered Artist of the year • Justin Kili Award • Listeners Choice Song of the year Miss Botong mentioned that this year, there will be 20 awards in total and 2 winners for each category to make up for the two years. The winners are chosen according to the number of times that they make it on the Yumi FM Top 20. The higher number of times their songs are on the Top 20, the higher the chance they have at winning. Out of the 10 awards, there are 2 awards where listeners will get to vote for: • Justin Kili Award – An individual/group that has done a lot in the music industry, • Listeners’ Choice song of the Year – listeners’ favourite song. Tickets for the Musik Awards are not out yet; however, people can pre- book their tickets and them pick up when the tickets are on hand. It will be a massive show with a big line up of performances by your favourite local artists. The lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. Miss Botong would like to thank the Platinum Sponsor, Coca Cola and Gold Sponsor, Vodafone for coming onboard to support the Yumi FM PNG Musik Awards. For ticket queries, you can contact Total Events Company on 323 0352 / 7373 8809.

United Nations (UN) has launched its global initiative, ‘The Big Catchup’ with the aim of vaccinating millions of children against potentially fatal diseases. This resourceful project is part of the UN’s World Immunization Week which is observed annually from 24 to 30 April. The program is conducted by the UN agencies like the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF in collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), Gavi and other global immunization partners. Vaccination is recognized as the most effective method of protecting communities from diseases like coronavirus, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, hepatitis B and HPV. These diseases can strike without discrimination or warning and have lasting consequences or kill victims. UNICEF recently released the State of the World’s Children’s Report 2023 which drew attention to the importance of vaccine awareness and the need for confidence in the immunization process. The UN Resident Coordinator in PNG, Mr. Richard Howard said it is important to remember that vaccines have been prolonging human life since 1796, when a smallpox vaccine was invented by physician, Edward Jenner. “Without vaccines, the COVID death toll would have far exceeded 6.9 million people.” “World Immunization Week is a timely reminder about the importance of inoculating children to protect individuals and maintain overall community health.” In less than three years, the COVID-19 pandemic put at risk the long-term health of hundreds of millions of people. Health care workers responded to the pandemic by orchestrating the most complex vaccination campaign in history. The COVID-19 pandemic created enormous pressures on health systems and medical professionals who often were overwhelmed by the rapid spread of the disease. Systematic, controlled immunisation not only protects people, but reduces the burden on hospitals and care facilities. In the Western Pacific Region, the number of zero-dose children increased by 45% from around 960,000 in 2019 to 1.4 million in 2021. Papua New Guinea National Department of Health statistics showed that there were nearly 280,000 children who had not received a vaccination during the past two years. The Big Catch-up aims to reach those children and increase immunization coverage back to the goals of the Global Immunization Agenda 2030.

Policewoman Inspector Maureen Undaba who was recently promoted to the rank of Senior Inspector, was the only female amongst seven officers promoted recently by Police Commissioner David Manning at the Police Headquarters in the National Capital District. Six of the seven officers flew into Port Moresby on Wednesday from around the country to receive their promotion. The seven are: · NCD Metropolitan Commander Chief Inspector Silva Sika to Superintendent, · Western Highlands Provincial Police Commander Superintendent John Sagom to Chief Superintendent, · Simbu Provincial Police Commander Chief Inspector Epenes Nili to Superintendent, · North Fly acting Provincial Police Commander Senior Inspector Oena Afeke to Chief Inspector and confirmed as PPC North Fly, · Porgera Police Station Commander Senior Inspector Martin Kelei to Chief Inspector, and · Rural Commander Eastern Highlands Province Inspector Benae Neneo to Senior Inspector In his remarks, Commissioner Manning said the Executive Management has made a collective and deliberate attempt in the recent promotion to ensure that the right people were placed in the right positions. Manning told the newly promoted officers that they have seen their potential and this is a push to make sure that they keep focused and motivated. Mr. Manning said the decision to acknowledge their performance and commitment to deliver on expectations as well as providing the leadership, is basically an attempt to fill the critical gaps that has crept into the Constabulary over the years. Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Operations Dr. Philip Mitna said the elevation comes with more responsibility and expectations from the executive management for them to deliver. He told the officers to provide the leadership and support to their subordinates and deliver the policing services at the district and provincial level.

NCDC City Hall has assured business houses, vehicle owners, drivers, commuters, and other road users that the full rehabilitation of the Waigani Drive to Gerehu Casio Circle (roundabout) is progressing well. The road work costs the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) K24million and is expected to be completed by November this year. NCD Governor Powes Parkop said controlling the heavy traffic whilst working on the road corridor by the contractor Global Constructions Limited was not an easy job, but the construction work is halfway through. Governor Parkop said compared to a 12-night asphalt overlaying work by Hebou on the Boroko Drive, the scope for Waigani Drive was full rehabilitation. This means earth works, pavements, pipe replacements, drainage and sealing. He added that the road was sealed more than 20 years ago so it has reached its lifespan. Meanwhile, Governor Parkop said NCDC has engaged a handful of contractors working on several other roads citywide to ease traffic congestion and lift the landscape of both Motu Koitabu villages and the city. They include Koki’s Haley Parade, PX compound at 6-Mile, NPF compound, Baruni Village road, Tatana village crossway road and Gerehu four-lane road. Gerehu four-lane road is not completed yet on time due to delay in relocation of power poles and lines. Governor Parkop added that local contractors were maintaining existing roads and drainages to high standards with quality materials day and night to avoid repeat of flash flooding on the roads and drainages in future.

Kokoda Track Foundation (KTF), an Australian Non-Government Organization (NGO), celebrated 20 years of collaboration and assistance to remote and rural communities in Papua New Guinea (PNG) this week. Founded in 2003, KTF is dedicated to improving the lives, livelihoods and futures of Papua New Guinea (PNG) people and communities via programs in education, health, equality and leadership. With 3.6km separating the two nations, PNG and Australia are nearest neighbours who hold a special bond that was forged in the crucible of war, 81 years ago. The legacy of the Kokoda Track campaign lives on today as a testament to the courage, resilience, and sacrifice of those who fought and died in the jungles of the Owen Stanley Ranges. It is a reminder of the horrors of war and the incredible strength of the human spirit and it serves as a beacon of hope for all those who believe in the power of courage and determination. Inspired by this courage, sacrifice, endurance and mateship, a small group of Australians set out to establish and grow a tangible pathway for Australians to give back to the people of PNG. The Kokoda Track Foundation was born on ANZAC Day in 2003 with a mission to lend a hand to our nearest neighbour, to honour the sacrifices of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, and to keep alive the spirit of Kokoda. All the smiles and celebrations will be at KTF’s 20th anniversary event in Sydney today Friday 28th April, where long-time supporters, board members, staff, volunteers, donors and partners will gather to celebrate the milestone. Esteemed guests will include KTF’s Chair, Ian Kemish AM (who served as Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea from 2010-2013 and has had a diplomatic career that has spanned twenty-five years); KTF co-founder and Chair from 2006 - 2016, Patrick Lindsay AM (Patrick is one of Australia’s leading non-fiction authors, broadcasters, filmmakers and public speakers, and has written extensively about Kokoda, Gallipoli, Fromelles and the spirit of the Digger); the Honourable Dadi Toka (Chairman of the Motu Koita Assembly and Deputy Governor of the National Capital District, PNG); and KTF CEO and co-founder, Dr Genevieve Nelson. Adjunct Professor Kemish said that from KTF has grown and has a presence right across Papua New Guinea. “We are proud of the journey of changing lives over the past 20 years - from our presence in health and education along and around the Kokoda Track, to our establishment of the Kokoda College, to lighting up tens of thousands of homes across the country, and to expanding to significant hubs in Western and New Ireland Provinces.” The Australian home-grown NGO started by offering a scholarship program for children from along the Kokoda Track. Between the years 2003 - 2009, KTF supported 2,000 scholarships for children to attend primary and secondary schools and some university scholarships. Today, KTF is a holistic development NGO with hubs and Colleges in Australia, Port Moresby, Kokoda, Manari, Sanananda, Balimo, Lake Murray, Morehead, Hanuabada and Lihir. Kokoda Track Foundation CEO Dr Genevieve Nelson said that 20 years is an extraordinary milestone and they are proud of it. “This week we are celebrating all that has been achieved through so many great partnerships and we pay tribute to the network of dedicated people who make up the family of KTF.” “I am so grateful to the staff, directors, volunteers, donors and partners of KTF who have supported so many high-impact projects for two decades.” “The KTF family is keeping the spirit of Kokoda alive, 81 years on.” KTF’s impact over the past 20 years includes: • Trained 3,685 elementary teachers across 14 provinces, supporting 150,000 children to remain in the formal schooling system. • Supported more than 2,500 students on second-chance FODE education pathways. • Built the Kokoda College; and supported the establishment and delivery of the academic program across 8 other Colleges and outreach programs in Central Province, Western Province, NCD and New Ireland Province. • 150 schools supported with resourcing, technology and coaching for teachers. • Delivered ongoing in-service and professional development to 278 trainers who support 6,000+ teachers. • Built and supported the operations of 8 schools along and around the Kokoda Track. • Delivered primary healthcare to a catchment population of 108,000+ people for a decade via the operations of 17 aid posts, health centres and hospitals and the running of integrated health patrols. • Supported 53 health facilities in Oro Province with solar infrastructure, staffing, drugs and medical resources and/or operating costs. • Supported 36 community health workers to train and/or deliver primary healthcare across Oro Province and the Kokoda Track. • Distributed over half a million kits of WASH and PPE resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. • 100+ survivors of family and sexual violence have been supported at Oro Province’s only safe house. • Installed household solar lighting and energy systems onto 13,000 homes across remote and rural PNG, lighting up the lives of 65,000 people, and improving education, health, safety and happiness • 13 years of finding and fostering the next generation of leaders via the Archer Leaders Development Program, which now has alumni of 90+ young leaders. KTF will continue its 20th anniversary celebrations throughout the year including via a Kokoda trek in July with senior staff and directors where they will officially open new infrastructure at the Mt KoiariFODE Centre and hold a celebration in Kokoda village at the Kokoda College. KTF is grateful to the many partners and donors who have supported its work over 20 years. KTF is grateful to: PNG Sustainable Development Program, Australian Government (via ANCP, PawarimKomuniti, Team Up and the Kokoda Initiative), PNG Government, Newcrest Sustainability Fund, Bill and Liz James, Mundango Abroad, Web of Hope Foundation, the Fred P. Archer Trust, Kina Bank, Puma Energy Foundation, Schneider Electric Foundation, Little Hearts Learning, Canadian High Commission via the Canada Fund, RSL & Services Clubs, Ashurst, Rotary, the Kokoda trekking industry, and the many generous individuals and organisations who have been a part of the journey.

A total of 45 youths from the Boroko suburb in Port Moresby are currently undergoing a 5 day youth empowerment and transformation training at the City Hall. The project is an initiative of the National Capital District (NCD) Board and the National Capital District Commission (NCDC) and aims at achieving a clean, safe, healthy and planned Boroko. After the youth empowerment and transformation training, these youths will be working at Boroko Central Business Centre to maintain cleanliness and monitor the movement of residents to make sure that people, especially women and girls feel safe to move around freely without any form of harassment. The youths will be expected to report daily on the work they carry out under the Commission’s Compliance Directorate and the Waste Management Division. NCDC has provided employment opportunities for these youths. They will be given three months probationary period to perform their duties effectively and efficiently in keeping Boroko clean and safe. Director Compliance Ms Amanda Binoka told the youths during the induction to embrace the opportunity given to them. “As youths from Boroko, this is your opportunity to take ownership and prove to us that, yes, you all want to be part of this transformation project.” “The success of this project will be a great story for us to tell when we look back on the journey we took to achieve a clean, safe, healthy and planned Boroko Precinct.’’ Director of Community and Social Services, Ms Janet Haua, encouraged the youths to work together with the team from NCDC. “You all are representing NCDC when you are out there carrying out your duties, and we expect you all to do your job professionally.” The youths will be given uniforms, vests, and safety boots when they graduate at the end of this week. They must have an ID card and a BSP Bank account each for the disbursement of their fortnightly wages.

Most rural areas around the country lack the number of doctors available to serve the people at their local health centers. President for Rural Doctors, Dr Kiaufuli Hongande said that there are a number of factors that affect recruiting and retaining a doctor in the rural areas. There are 4 factors that will act as pull factors to for rural doctors; • Professional Development Opportunities – Provide opportunities for rural doctors to further their studies. • Good Financial Incentives – Added bonus that will help maintain rural doctors • Deep Satisfaction – The feeling of being appreciated, respected by the community • Social Amenities - Access to good housing, banks, schools etc “When rural doctors are taken care off well, they stay in the rural areas.” “There are also other factors such as the heart or a religious conviction to go serve in the rural areas.” “When people have good doctors in their areas, people must nurture them and take care of them.” He added that people that are sent to work in the rural areas must have the passion to serve the people. He further added that Managers must be fair and treat their employees well. The Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS, Dr Lino Tom said that rural doctors must not forget their humble beginnings, noting that a bulk of the health work in country is done by rural doctors. “After training mi bin go bek na wok long ol rural health facilities wankain olsem yupla so ol problem wea yupla wok long toktok long em, mi klia stret (After training I went back and worked at rural health facilities like you so I know about the problems that you are facing).” He said that rural doctors are the real heroes in the country by delivering quality health services with hardly any facilities available to them. “I want to thank the prime minister for increasing the health budget and giving us K121million for the health workforce.” In terms of workforce in the rural areas, Dr Lino said they are doing a workforce audit. They are also doing infrastructure audit to see where who is working, what facilities they have and how they are providing health care  

Head of Police Crimes Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Hodges Ette has said that there is no need for a new law to guide the use of drug machines for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary's (RPNGC) Forensic services. ACP Ette was responding to an article in the daily newspapers titled, ‘Law to guide use of new drug machine’ saying this is a miss-statement. “We don’t need a new law, all we need is an internal policy mechanism that will regulate the use of the machine.” “There are laws available to regulate its use including section 14 of the Police Act, which allows the Police Commissioner to enquire into certain matters at his discretion and that covers all functions of the constabulary.” “I’d like to inform our people that Deputy Police Commissioner Administration Joanne Clarkson has issued a directive for a policy document to regulate drug machine use and our policy team has already begun the drafting.” “This policy will cover the usage and the need for testing police officers if they are accused of drug abuse, recruitment or employer requirements and other suspects cases as and when need arises.” “Also, we will have to inform the judiciary and magisterial services that we have new capabilities that they may find themselves looking at in our (police) files.”  

Malaria has always been a leading cause of illness and death in the country with more than 90% of Papua New Guineans at risk from getting Malaria. This was revealed during the commemoration of World Malaria Day on 25th April, by the National Department of Health at the Kerea Primary School at the Vanapa Brown Local Level Government (LLG) in the Central province. This year the theme is, ‘Deliver Zero Malaria: Invest, innovate and Implement.’ The school was chosen because the school was in an area that is one of the worst Malaria Hit areas in the Country. The National Department of Health Malaria Program Coordinator, Mr. Leo Makita delivered the keynote speech on behalf of the Minister for Health & HIV/AIDS Dr. Lino Tom. He said that Malaria is an old pandemic that continues to cause death and devastation here in the country. Makita said that Malaria is a deadly disease which is transmitted by mosquitoes and rural populations are most vulnerable where access to health services is difficult. In the Western Pacific Region, Papua New Guinea (PNG) has the highest malaria burden where children and pregnant women are most likely to get very sick and die if they are not diagnosed early and treated effectively. Makita added that Malaria is a preventable illness and can be avoided by sleeping under a mosquito net and taking steps to avoid mosquitoes breeding and getting bitten by mosquitoes. Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) Programme Manager, Tim Freeman said they are proud to be the biggest implementing partner of the National Department of Health’s National Malaria Control Program. “Malaria thrives in warm temperatures and is therefore the worst in coastal areas of PNG.” “As you go higher, malaria gets less and less and then disappears at high altitudes in districts such as Kandep in Enga.” “If you have fever, chills, headaches and joint pains, you should go to a health worker and get tested for malaria. If you have malaria, you should take full treatment given to ensure you get well.” Freeman highlighted that over the last 13 years RAM has worked together with NDOH to distribute nets to all villages. RAM also works closely with Provincial Health Authorities to ensure that the malaria program reaches every village and family in the country. In addition to household distribution, RAM also distributed nets to pregnant women through health centres. Freeman further stated that the biggest problem with treating malaria in the country is that people live long distances from the a health facility, so they have come up with a new program where village volunteers are trained on how to test and treat malaria, so it is accessible to all people in remote areas. This program is present in 10 provinces and is expanding.