Janet Yaki

A specialised centre will be the central location to provide to the needs of ostomates. And it will be that one place where ostomates will feel comfortable.

An ostomate is a person who has undergone a surgical procedure to create an artificial opening in the body called a stoma, used to discharge waste.  

They need colostomy bags, which are placed over their stoma to collect waste products that normally pass through a person's rectum and anus in the bathroom.

She says the foundation has colostomy bags and accessories to be donated to ostomates.

An ostomate is a person who has undergone a surgical procedure to create an opening in the body that will be used to discharge wastes.

Most child ostomates are born without an anus, hence the stoma (an artificial opening created surgically). For other ostomates, mostly adults, the cause of stoma is by bowel cancer, or gunshot/ knife wound, car accident resulting in the removal of part of their intestine.

An Ostomate is a person who has undergone a surgical procedure to create an opening in the body called a stoma, used to discharge waste. 

Janet Yaki, an Ostomate herself, registered the PNG Stoma Association in 2011 to be a voice and vehicle of Ostomates in the country.

Their theme this year is “Many stories, One Voice!”

But to this day, Yaki is the only Ostomate pushing the association forward.

“It is still very hard for Ostomates to find the courage to come out because of the stigma that surrounds them,” she said.

The fundraiser saw business houses and individuals stepping in with cash and kind to push the foundation towards achieving its goal.

Founder Janet Yaki, an ostomate herself, thanked all those who have been supporting the society over the years.

She was emotional when reflecting on the hardships of ostomates in the country.

An Ostomate is a person who has undergone a surgical procedure to create an opening in the body that will be used to discharge waste. 

And as its responsibility, the foundation continues to push for awareness on Stoma and all other types of cancer that leads to it. 

Janet Yaki, founder and interim president of the PNG Stoma Association faces similar situation in her path to fighting stoma in the country.

An Ostomate is a person who has undergone a surgical procedure to create an opening in the body that will be used to discharge wastes.

Due to the condition and area that requires medical attention, an ostomate requires special attention.

Thus, the PNG Stoma Association, since its inception five years ago, has been pushing for a specialist centre, but one that may cost the association more than K1.5 million.

The PNG Stoma Society, led by ostomate Janet Yaki received a 12 seater vehicle from the Neville family yesterday, relieving the society off its transport needs.

This is not the first time, the family has come on board to assist the society; they donated a container fitted with shelves and air condition last year to help Janet meet her storage needs.

In a small but significant meet yesterday, the Neville family, led by Greg Neville donated the vehicle to the patron of the society and Minister for Works and Implementation, Francis Awesa.