Group, bmobile launch TB toll free line

By OGIA MIAMEL
THE Businesses for Health (B4H) project in partnership with bmobile-Vodafone launched the bmobile-Vodafone TB Toll Free Information Line service on World TB Day on Friday at Kilakila Clinic in Port Moresby.
B4H project manager Dr Ann Clarke said the purpose of the service was to encourage people to ask questions about tuberculosis (TB) and get assistance wherever necessary.
“The Business for Health project is designed as a private sector response to TB so we are mobilising the support of private organisation sectors like bmobile to contribute to the community and work with the national TB partnership, and all of the other players in the national TB efforts to make sure that everybody have access to good information,” Clarke said.
“Anybody with any question can call and it might be that they are asking a technical question that I don’t know the answer to but I can tell them where to go and get help, anyone can call the line but if you can call from a bmobile number it would be free and you don’t need credit.”
She said the lines would be opened from 8am to 4pm five days a week and the toll free number is 76762482.
“I am not there to diagnosed symptoms or signs but I can talk to them and encourage them to come and the reason why we are here Kilakila clinic today is because this is exactly where I would recommend someone to come, if you were calling me I would ask what clinic was the most convenient for you,” Clarke said.
She said callers would be assisted to seek further help and information in clinics around the National Capital District.
Bmobile-Vodafone regional marketing manager Megan Taureka-Andrew said: “Bmobile-Vodafone is pleased to be involved in this initiative which informs many patients about TB and how to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.