TB cases continuing to rise

THE number of people diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) in Papua New Guinea is still rising, with records showing 424 cases among every 100,000 persons.
Department of Health deputy director for public health Ken Wai said this is about 3,500 cases every month, or 800 a week or 100 a day.
He was speaking last Wednesday (March 27) during the World TB Day.
“PNG is among the 30 highest burden countries of co-existing TB and multi-drug existing TB globally.
“Each day, 15 to 20 persons die from TB and up to 115 and 200 persons fall ill with TB,” Wai said.
He added that the annual TB notification in 2023 reached more than 38,000 TB cases with only 70 per cent reports.
“It is estimated to reach 40,000 when full reports are in.”
Wai said the number of cases had drastically increased after the Coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic.
He said efforts to address TB in the country would need to be accelerated.
“More than 20 per cent of the people affected with TB remain missed and untreated, but this number may be high,” he said.
“The treatment success rate for drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB remains suboptimal.
According to Wai, TB was simple and could be prevented and cured.
“The public must know the causes, signs, and symptoms of TB,” he said. “They must also how to prevent themselves from getting infected.
“If you think you have TB, get tested, follow the advice of your health care provider.
“You must complete the treatment to be cured.”
He urged the Government to allocate more resources to improve TB diagnosis.
Wai also encouraged health workers to incorporate TB into their routine health intervention programmes.
“Deliver care that is kind, respectful of human rights without stigma,” he said.
Community leaders, he said, should ensure the maintenance of essential TB services.
“Combat stigma and discrimination to ensure everyone feels safe to access TB services,” Wai said.