Forum aims to make TB fight priority

By DULCIE OREKE
PROVINCIAL health advisers and key stakeholders in tuberculosis control will receive updates on the latest protocol and countrywide data next month.
In a two-day national TB forum, each province will present its commitment to TB for the next five years in line with the newly-developed Stop TB country strategic plan for 2011 to 2015.
The forum is a first for Papua New Guinea.
The forum hopes to reinforce TB as a key priority for the country and enable activities that are presently being undertaken nationwide to be sustained for the next five years.
During the launch of the World TB Day activities by the national TB programme in Port Moresby yesterday, national TB programme manager Dr Paul Aia said TB had to be addressed from different angles.
Aia said it would take great team effort from the government and   partners to fight TB successfully.
The theme for this year is Stop TB in my lifetime.
Activities will take place in provinces on March 24 to mark World TB Day.
In the National Capital District, a march has been organised from Murray Barracks via 2-Mile hill to Koki and ending at Ela Beach, where a host of activities will be held.
NCD health service director for public health Dr Niko Wuatai, who was present at the launch, made an appeal to private organisations, churches and communities to take part in the march.