Tuberculosis

1.2mil Vaccine Doses Delivered

This immunisation coverage was made possible through the Accelerated Immunisation and Health System Strengthening (AIHSS) project – a partnership between the governments of Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

In Central Province, the Provincial Health Authority (PHA), Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Child Fund and Susu Mama PNG with technical support from WHO and UNICEF have collaborated to strengthen health systems and improve routine immunisation coverage through clinics and mobile outreach patrols.

PNG in top ten countries with worst tuberculosis incidence

The World Health Organisation's Global Tuberculosis Report 2018 says the global TB incidence rate is falling by roughly 2 percent a year.

However, some parts of the world are experiencing a crisis of multidrug-resistant TB, in particular China and India.

PNG is also struggling to contain multidrug-resistant TB, and is identified as being among ten countries with the highest TB burden based on incidence per capita.

Grim reality of TB

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.

30 000 new TB cases in the last decade

Dr Clarke reaffirmed her statement, making reference to the 30 000 new TB cases in the last 10 years reported every year.

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

Dr Clarke highlighted TB case notification has increased since 2008.

In response, Business for Health, a Not For Profit organization is designed to mitigate the impact of the TB and HIV epidemics in the private sector.

Children way forward in TB fight

Involving children in tuberculosis awareness is a good start as it falls perfectly in line with the world TB day theme Wanted: Leaders for a TB-Free World, You can make history. End TB.

Health Minister Sir Puka Temu said the show of participation today was important for a TB free future. 

“This are our future leaders so they should be involved in addressing TB,” he said.

Students from schools in Port Moresby also participated in an art competition relating to ending TB.

Top 10 causes of death

World Health Organisation reports that globally, TB incidence is falling by 2 percent per year.

But still, this needs to be accelerated to a 4-5 percent annual decline to reach the 2020 milestones of the End TB strategy.

This epidemic mostly affects developing countries, including PNG, who has over the years been trying to align with the global strategy to end TB.

The more challenging in the country is the multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). In fact, WHO confirms MDR-TB remains a public health crisis and health threat globally.

Focus on TB

March 24 is the World Tuberculosis Day, but senior technical advisor on multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), Dr Anh Innes, says world TB day should be every day.

This means increasing awareness on TB and her main message is that TB can be cured.

She said the idea was to find it early, detect early and initiate treatment.

"Even for drug-resistant TB patients, they can be cured," she said.

Dr Innes was in Port Moresby last week and conducted a one-day workshop to equip awareness among a few physicians and health care practitioners from around the country.

TB rate in Gulf among highest: Dr Dakulala

Deputy Health Secretary, Dr Paison Dakulala, said this in Kerema during a World TB Day program.

He said Gulf has one of the highest TB case notification rates along with the National Capital District and Western Province.

“Case notification for the 12-month period from April 2015 to March 2016 was 767 per 100,000,” he said.

“This rate is more than double the estimate of national incidence for PNG.”

The recent World TB Day brought together partners in Kerema to discuss the Gulf Province’s TB Emergency Response Strategy: 2016–2018.

Gulf marks World TB Day

TB officer Akita Korua says the purpose of the awareness was to educate the people on TB, a curable disease that can be treated with medication if patients are faithful and complete their medication within 6 - 8 months.

The World TB Day event was launched in Kerema town on Friday with the theme for this year, ‘Leave no one behind’, a call to everyone to take ownership of initiatives to stop TB in Gulf Province.

Use of Private Sector to fight TB

B4H Project Manager Dr Ann Clarke, said in 2017, the focus of its work with businesses was in the National Capital District (NCD), where the rate of active TB cases is higher than other cities in PNG.

The World TB Day, saw the launch of the project of a Toll Free Tuberculosis information line service at the Kila Kila Clinic.

“The new TB info line number will be and will be available to anyone throughout PNG who has a question about TB,” says Dr. Clarke.