Give TB the serious attention it deserves

THE high tuberculosis infection rate in the country should be raising eyebrows and a national emergency declared as all efforts swing towards containing it.
And it is a health security issue for Papua New Guinea that new cases increased by over 70 per cent in the past five years despite the national strategic plan implemented by the Health Department in 2015 to control the disease.
National Capital District, the main host to the Apec meeting in November, has been flagged as a hotspot in the country with the highest increase of 3.3 per cent every year.
That is not comforting news as this poses a health risk to visitors coming for the meeting.
High population mobility, poor TB control and crowded settlements contribute to the disease spreading quickly in NCD.
Western and Gulf are the other hotspot provinces.
TB is an airborne infection that causes the bacteria mycobacterium tuberculosis to develop into a disease which destroys organ tissues, mostly in the lungs.
TB bacteria are spread through the air from one person to another.
The TB bacteria are put into the air when a person with TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these bacteria and become infected.
It can be fatal if left untreated. If left untreated, one person can infect 10 to 15 people every year.
The increasing incidences of drug-resistant strains and limited access to adequate healthcare, have caused the recent resurgence in support from overseas governments and medical humanitarian agencies.
To treat tuberculosis infection, a daily regimen of injections, oral medication and supervised medical care of anywhere between six to 24 months is recommended.
TB remains a significant public health problem with national indicators showing stagnating and, in some provinces, declining treatment success rates.
Increasing incidences due to minimal health care, poor housing and nutrition have contributed to poverty, overcrowding and people failing to complete their treatment.
In fact only 50 per cent of individuals have access to adequate healthcare.
Children face the greatest risk of contracting disabling forms of tuberculosis.
According to the PNG Institute for Medical Research, many remotely-situated TB sufferers die of the disease without ever receiving a formal diagnosis.
Furthermore, only 50 per cent of those infected with TB have access to adequate treatment.
This is problematic, as TB recovery can require a daily regimen of injections, oral medication, and supervised medical care from anywhere between six and 24 months. Inconsistent treatment cannot only increase the disease’s severity but also strengthens the infection’s resistance to treatment options.
Tomorrow is World TB Day. In Port Moresby, the day will be marked with activities at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
It will be a shame if this day goes by quietly.
Many should be commended for their efforts in raising awareness and dealing with the issue.
The TB epidemic isn’t just a national public health threat for PNG. If not adequately managed, it will have social and economic ramifications for the entire Asia-Pacific region.
The government must maintain a sense of urgency in their emergency response efforts because its commitment is vital.