Foundation, clinic celebrate TB Day

Tuberculosis (TB) is curable, preventable and treatment is free.
This was the key message Oil Search Foundation in partnership with Kaugere clinic in Port Moresby delivered to the public on World TB Day on Friday.
Oil Search Foundation chief executive officer Kymberley Kepore said the purpose was to make awareness because TB caused 1.5 million deaths annually in the world and was an epidemic in PNG and the world.
“The key message is that TB is a serious problem but it is curable and it is preventable.  It is preventable and those things that you can do to prevent it, those are the messages that we want to help people take to their homes,” she said.
“That is primarily to cover your cough, by putting your mouth in your shoulder or using a cloth to cover your mouth.
“The other key message in relation to helping to address TB is you or somebody that you know has been coughing for three or more weeks to ensure that they go and get tested.  Once they get tested there is medicine available.”
Kepore said the medicine was free and once patients got on the programme, support was there to ensure people followed through to the whole medication in six or nine months.
Kaugere clinic manager Janet Pongone said the theme for World TB Day 2017 – “Unite to End TB” – must be taken seriously to address TB.
“TB is spread through the air and most of the time people think that it spread through sharing spoons, plates and cups and they start to separate utensils and discriminate family members,” she said.
“TB is not caused by witchcraft or any traditional beliefs and customs. TB is caused by a bacterium and it’s curable and treatment is free.
“I encourage the community that if they identify any signs or symptoms with themselves or the people around them, we encourage them to come to the clinic and they must complete the treatment.”