Daru sounds SOS in TB fight

 DARU in Western is in dire need of assistance as it faces an alarming number of drug-resistant cases of tuberculosis.

Half of its population is infected with the disease, South Fly MP Aide Ganasi says. 

He requested help from the Health Department, saying the situation was now beyond the province’s capacity and capability. “The district has been identified as having the worst TB cases in the country and the situation is worse and alarming on Daru Island,” he said.

“It is believed that 50 per cent of the 15,000 people that live on the island are infected with the drug-resistant TB.” Ganasi said a number of health workers had contracted the disease while working at the TB section at Daru hospital. 

He said doctors serving on the island had left since the resignation of the Daru hospital board members.

“It appears that the mass exodus of doctors has got to do with the poor performance and attitude of the acting chief executive officer who is said to be frequently in Port Moresby and spending less time at the hospital,” he said.

Health Minister Michael Malabag said TB was a major public health issue in Western.

“As of December 2014, 153 drug-resistant and TB patients are on the second line of the anti-TB treatment in Western. 

“This number includes 11 extensively drug-resistant TB cases. 

“It is a fact that Western is currently struggling to cope and cannot operate at the necessary level,” Malabag said.