WSP PHA observes TB Day

WSPHA making an awareness campaign on TB in Vanimo Town today, commenting the World TB Day, which is observed every 24th of March globally

The West Sepik Provincial Health Authority [WSPPHA] has joined the rest of the world in observing World Tuberculosis Day, which is celebrated globally every 24th of March.

This year's World TB Day theme is "Commit, Invest, Deliver" for West Sepik PHA the aim for this year going forward is making sure every TB patient in the province complete their medication as a main way to mitigate the spread of TB in the Province.

West Sepik Provincial Health Authority has revealed today that they have recorded over 600 cases of people with TB in 2024 with 50 per cent of the patient rejecting medication or not completing their medication.

Disease Controll officer Raphael Anea says this is worrying the PHA

"We are not worried about the disease TB. We are worried about the people infected with the disease not taking medication and completing their mediation treatments." Says Anea.

He says this same group of people live among others in communities with a high risk of spreading TB to others.

Mr Anea said West Sepik Province especially Vanimo with the highest record of TB cases in the province now has a record of almost 81 cases of Drug Resistance TB, which is a deadly type of TB where medication can be taken almost 2 to 3 years.

He says these 81 cases, 25 per cent of them, are on treatment while the rest are without treatment.

The PHA further stated that TB medication is free and does not cost a kina to purchase medicine.

The public is reminded to bring those who may have signs of TB to go for checkups in the hospitals to know their status and if TB is detected they can start medication.