Papua New Guinea's prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, has been called on to urgently address the country's high maternal mortality rate.

The president of the PNG Medical Society has written to Sir Michael, describing the high number of deaths as a silent national disaster.

Our correspondent in Port Moresby, Steve Marshall, says a few years ago, no-one in PNG was supposed to be more than four hours walk from a health clinic - now some people have to walk four days to receive medical treatment.

The decline in rural aid posts has seen PNG's maternal mortality rate rise.

More than 2,600 mothers die in PNG every year - one of the highest rates in the Asia Pacific.

PNG Medical Society president, Dr Mathias Sapuri, recently highlighted PNG's plight at a health conference in Brisbane.

He has now personally written to Prime Minister Somare to address the situation.

For a start, Dr Sapuri wants a fund immediately established for emergency air transfers to help expecting mothers in rural areas.

Produced by Radio Australia and Australia Network