TB in workplace discussed

National

A total of 60 business representatives attended a workplace tuberculosis (TB) session organised by the Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PMCCI) yesterday.
Business for Health (B4H) project manager Dr Ann Clarke told The National that POMCCI invited her to address the group about TB and how it was affecting workplaces in Port Moresby.
“We had about 60 people from a range of businesses that operate here in the National Capital District, and if those people drive behaviour change and health promotion programmes in their workplaces, then we can put in place things that affect health-seeking behaviour,” Clarke said.
“We can work to prevent, detect and help to treat people suffering from tuberculosis disease.”
Clarke highlighted three key issues in her presentation – exposure to TB infections, TB as a disease and how to manage TB in the workplace.
“When someone is infected, they need to be taken for testing and treatment as rapidly as possible. What we know is that the workplace has the capacity to teach people good detection techniques and reward people for helping everybody prevent infection.”
B4H was established last year with seed funding from the Australian Government to address the concerns by PNG’s business leaders and donor partners about the impact of TB on private sector businesses, their employees, families and the national economy.
B4H conducts TB workplace training, TB advocacy, information, education and communication.