Gulf launches plan to fight tuberculosis

THE Gulf TB Emergency Strategic Plan 2017–2020 was launched in Kerema last week.
The plan covers five main areas to address TB in Gulf -improving access, early diagnosis, patient-centred approach, increase capacity and effective leadership, coordination and partnership.
Gulf was declared a TB hotspot by the National Department of Health in 2014, along with Capital District and Western.
Following this declaration, a provincial emergency response team was establish in the province by the Department of Health to coordinate emergency strategies to address TB infections.
Gulf acting Deputy Administrator for Corporate Services James Hasu said the plan brings a new wind of change in Gulf as it will address the immediate TB crisis faced in the province.
He said the five key areas of the plan comprehensively accommodates the key components in the delivery of health services which can be used to assess and overhaul the provincial health systems.
“I would like for us not to be ignorant and turn a blind eye to the crisis, it is important to take ownership. It’s time that we see it as an opportunity to address health issues in our province in moving forward,” Hasu said.
He said proper planning ensures that objectives, strategies with targets and key interventions are spelt out clearly before applying our limited resources.
“Working with a plan enables us to refrain from using crisis management approaches. Good planning process strengthens our resolve to remain focused in achieving desired health indicators.
“At the same time, it provides an opportunity to take stock of other impending health issues that we are faced with.”