BY JOSHUA ARLO
WORLD VISION is taking the lead to eradicate tuberculosis (TB) in the country by 2015 and has started by creating awareness in schools in Port Moresby.
With the theme: “I am a proud TB patient”, the organisation is teaming up with other major organisations such as Hope Worldwide, WHO, Health Department and the National Capital District (NCD) health division and City Pharmacy Ltd to use global funds to fight TB.
Representatives of the different organisations are initiating this theme in an awareness programme in schools starting with NCD and Morobe this year as the pilot project before targeting other schools in other provinces.
The TB awareness group is planning to visit 10 schools in National Capital District after already visiting Coronation and Bavaroko Primary School on Monday and yesterday.
Along with the group travelling to the schools is Dotsy, the mascot who has been helping with the awareness in the country for the last 15 years.
Yesterday, over 2,000 students at Bavaroko heard what the group had to say about the disease and were ecstatic when Dotsy showed up for a visit.
The students were told that this awareness is aimed at eradicating TB from PNG and needed their help as educated people to spread the message that TB is a curable disease and can be prevented.
They were told that TB patients at home can seek treatment by the – Direct Observe Treatment (DOT).
The DOT theory is an effective way to treat the disease.
Provincial TB DOTS coordinator of World Vision Veronica Kekae with partner, District TB DOTS Reverend Hoge Rabura said the awareness was a drive towards World TB Day on March 24.
They said apart from visiting schools there are other programmes lined up, where they conduct awareness campaigns in public places amongst other activities.
Rev Rabura said the awareness should make people understand that TB was spread through close knit atmospheres such as family homes, PMV buses and at markets.