PNG Stoma Association

The dream for a stoma care centre

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.

Donated supplies for stoma patients available

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.

The Yaki’s continue to help Ostomates

Roy and Janet Yaki have been married for a long time. In fact, long enough to have children and grandchildren.

When wife Janet was diagnosed with cancer of the colon in 2009, Roy was there through the time of her surgery, her recovery phase and months of trying to adjust to normal life as an Ostomate.

This was a new life for both, because being an Ostomate, Janet now discharges wastes through an artificial opening in her body created surgically. She needs a colostomy bag at all times, to collect her body’s waste products.

A voice to help Ostomates continues to call for help

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.

Lack of cancer awareness slows Foundation goals

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

Dream to start Stoma Care Centre continues

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.