TB, the leading cause of death in PNG

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death for Papua New Guineans, according to recently revealed statistics from the National Department of Health.

NDoH Chief Psychiatrist Dr. Monica Hagali told the 24th National Health Conference this week, that these are statistics from 2023 as per the National Hospital Discharge summary report.

Dr. Hagali says, Tuberculosis or TB accounted for 952 deaths last year, from which 1 out of 7 deaths was caused by this illness.

Cancer was the second leading cause of death, with about 396 deaths from the disease.

Liver disease was the least cause of death at the hospitals, accounting for 173 deaths.

Dr. Hagali says Low birth weight or L-B-W was the main cause of pediatric or child deaths at the country’s health facilities, with 243 deaths which accounted for 1 out of 8 pediatric deaths.

Pneumonia accounted for the second leading cause of death at 239, seeing about 1 in 10 pediatric deaths caused by this illness.

She says perinatal deaths or baby deaths a few weeks before birth, including the birth and a few weeks after, saw highest from Chimbu, Morobe and NCD.

Stillbirths account for about 84% of perinatal deaths.

Dr. Hagali highlighted that there were a total of 367 maternal deaths,with the highest from the Momase region - with 50 maternal deaths in Madang, 47 in East Sepik and 33 in Morobe.

The 3-day National Health Conference ends today with resolutions for ways forward in addressing the various issues in the sector and ensuring universal health coverage for all in the country.