WHP TB unit reaches out to schools, communities

THE TB Control Unit of Western Highlands took part in advocating TB during the 5th National Health week in the province as part of its outreach programme to schools and communities.
The team spearheaded by the Provincial Health Promotion Coordinator, Sr Giego Kia and the district health promotion officers went out to communities, villages, primary schools and secondary schools doing advocacy and awareness on communicable and life style diseases that are affecting the lives of many people in the province as well as the country.
The team also had the National TB Programme mascot Dotsy with them to advocate on TB, a disease which is curable. 
The theme for this year’s National Health Week is “Living a Healthy Life Style”.
The TB team educated the people about the cause of TB and why it was very important to have a balanced diet to keep the immune system fit.
The Provincial Advocacy Communication and Social Mobilisation coordinator for TB in the province Tina Lipen said a strong immune system did not leave a vacuum for the TB bacteria to multiply and develop into an infection even if the bacterium was in the body. 
Lipen also talked about the importance of good ventilation in homes and staying away from crowded places as some of the ways to avoid getting infected with TB.   
Dotsy and the team also visited some of the districts as well as the new Jiwaka province, disseminating information to the people.