Nurse finds hard cases

 Seven cases of multi-drug resistant Tuberculosis (TB) have been detected in Lae, a health worker said yesterday.
Sister in charge of Butibum clinic Sr Taleng said the seven diagnosed with the category of TB were from different health centres around the city.
Taleng did a solo awareness campaign yesterday at the Butibum clinic in support of World TB Day.
“These cases came about because patients did not complete their medications,” Taleng said.
Taleng said the cases were worrying because if they spread throughout the city, many people could be infected.
“We can all catch it if we are not careful,” she said.
Patients who turned up at the hospital in the morning to seek treatment had to listen to Taleng’s message for half-an-hour.
“The government is spending K10,000 to treat each of the patient,” Taleng said.
She said Butibum clinic had more than 100 TB patients  seeking treatment at the clinic.
She said in the last month, 27 new cases had been registered.
Taleng said if TB was transmitted from the “windbag” through the air 10 to 15 people could be infected at the same time.
“We are all potentially carrying TB bacteria in our bodies,” Taleng said. 
“We are yet to control TB in PNG. Other countries have done it.”
“Mothers and fathers have a role at home to prevent TB.
“Prevention is better than cure.”