World TB Day: Together, We are Saving Lives in Papua New Guinea

After being tested for tuberculosis, he discovered that he was positive for the disease. His father was examined after he learned his son was sick. It was soon confirmed that he suffered with the disease, too. Both father and son wanted to return to their village. The staff at HOPE worldwide encouraged them to remain in Port Moresby where they could receive treatment. They stayed and successfully completed their treatments. Today, because they listened to the medical professionals at our clinic and were diligent about following their advice, Hooda and his father have been cured, healthy and TB free.

In Papua New Guinea, HOPE worldwide was one of the first to introduce the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment), a short-course strategy that has been identified by the World Bank as one of the most cost-effective health strategies available in fighting TB. Since the 1990s, our Nine Mile Clinic in Port Moresby has been diagnosing and treating over 100 tuberculosis cases each year. PNG has very high rates of tuberculosis, which is usually fatal if untreated, but can be cured with a 6-9 month course of a combination of antibiotics.

Since 2007, we have been coordinating DOTS services for the entire National Capital District, in partnership with the PNG Department of Health in a program funded by The Charitable Foundation and the Global Fund. More than 500 sputum-positive cases, like Hooda’s, occur each year in Port Moresby, along with many other cases in children and adults. It is the sputum positive cases that are highly infectious.

The PNG government has now asked us to extend our coverage to the Simbu Province in the highlands, and in 2011-2012 to Central Province as well.

Many of HOPE worldwide’s PNG staff and numerous others will be participating in the Annual World TB Day walkathon, through the city of Port Moresby, which raises awareness and solidarity about the issue. The walk is well publicized in the media, and the walkers will be addressed by the Minister of Health and others.

Help us fight Tuberculosis
Go to www.hopeww.org