Western sees launch of TB programme

DARU witnessed the launching of the new tuberculosis
programme in Western last Thursday. 
People gathered at the Daru General Hospital to hear speeches from provincial government representatives, TB experts and World Vision officials.
It was announced that a package of measures intended to dramatically improve TB control in Western.
World Vision country director Dr Curt von Boguslawski said they had more than five years experience in working in
PNG as a partner to the Health Department.
“World Vision feels honoured to be working at the national and provincial levels, through the support of AusAID to implement such a unique programme,” Boguslawski said.
He said it was heartbreaking to see people not getting good treatment and even dying from this curable disease.
He said this should be motivation to improve the TB programme.
Wednesday marked the official opening of a new temporary TB ward and communications centre, which will connect the hospital with patients across the province.
The groundbreaking was
done on the site of a new world-class TB facility.
This facility, to be completed this year, will help the province in managing its high rate of TB and multi drug resistant TB cases.
World Vision formally announced its TB Odiobo Himara Ara Nirowa project (Kiwai for “Stop TB in Western”).
This project, funded by AusAID and aligned with the national TB programme and strategic plan, will conduct outreach programmes to communities to make them aware of TB symptoms and encourage effective health seeking behaviour over the next three years.
Western is the first province in the country to make a long-term commitment in this area.