Call for teamwork to fight diseases

National

A COLLABORATIVE effort is needed to combat HIV-AIDS, Tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant TB in the world, US Ambassador to PNG Catherine Ebert-Gray says.
Ebert-Gray said during the donation of medical equipment by the US embassy to the PNG Government, that the diseases could be eliminated through long-term commitments and sustainable goals of HIV and TB response.
“More needs to be done to achieve our global goal and eliminate HIV,” she said.
“Our goal for ending the HIV in 2030 calls for effective Government stewardship, accountability and high level of political commitment.”
“To achieve this vision, we must ensure that everyone has access to quality health services, clinicians are trained to provide quality care and medicines andsupplies are always available that’s the goal of achieving an AIDS free generation.”
Ebert-Gray said the US Government gave close to K21 million each year to combat the spread of HIV and TB.
The country also has the highest incidence and HIV prevalence in the Pacific, predominantly driven by heterosexual transmission and associated with untreated sexually-transmitted infections.
“To provide treatment to people living with HIV and prevent new infections and curb the spread of this disease, the US Agency for International Development has been a key player in the implementation of TB control programmes,” she said.
PNG has the second highest TB prevalence in the Western Pacific region with an estimated TB incidence of 348 per 100 and prevalence of 541 per 100, 000.
Health standards service deputy secretary Dr Paison Dakulala thanked the US Embassy for the equipment.