Grim reality of TB

The problem of tuberculosis in PNG is 10 times greater than HIV and AIDS, revealed Dr Ann Clarke, Project Manager of Business for Health.

Dr Clarke made reference to the 30,000 new TB cases in the last 10 years, which have been reported every year.

Tuberculosis, drug resistant TB and TB and HIV co-infection are the leading causes of death from infectious diseases in the country.

Dr Clarke highlighted that TB case notification has increased since 2008.

In response, Business for Health, a not-for-profit organisation, is designed to mitigate the impact of the TB and HIV epidemics in the private sector.

The organisation provides workplace health advocacy, policy and workplace TB training services in coordination with the PNG National TB program.

“To assist in case findings, continue on doing education programs in the workplace but more importantly, learn the complex process of getting tested and treated,” said Dr Clarke while reiterating the work of the organisation.

This will then translate into increased awareness by the private sector in the communities they serve.

“We can enable the people who learn this in the workplace to share the information with their families and further impacting the wider community,” Dr Clarke added.

Supporting the organisation, SP Brewery presented K50,000 this week to address the plight of TB in PNG.

“As a company that is concerned about the health and wellbeing of its employees as well as PNG in general, I believe we are supporting a worthy cause,” said corporate affairs manager, John Nilkare.

Author: 
Carolyn Ure