Powes Parkop supports campaign to curb TB endemic in Port Moresby

National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop led thousands of city dwellers this morning (Sunday, March 24, 2019) not only to mark the World Tuberculosis Day increasing public awareness about the adverse social-economic and health consequences of TB in the city.

Also, the day was commemorated to celebrate positive achievements in the fight against the spread of TB, renew commitments and strategies to end TB endemic in the city where NCD is the third amongst the provinces which has leading TB cases in the country.

The celebration began with TB street festival in the city on Friday. 

The platform of Active City Development’s Walk and Yoga for Life (WYFL) was used for the occasion.

Mr Parkop said the statistics did not go well with him, saying the capital city has 25 TB treatment facilities and vital information about TB is available at the residents’ finger tips.

He attributed this to the fact that TB patients were not on medication faithfully nor the people were ignorant and were not embracing hygienic habits in their homes. 

“TB patients should take medicine like food every day. They should be committed to the prescribed time to treat TB. Never give up taking medicine until advised otherwise by health officers.

“If you do not follow the prescription, the probability is high that TB is developed into much higher grade or multi-drug resistance stage,” he said when speaking at Paga Hill Ring Road to mark the day.

He emphasized that the need for everyone to be clean, fit, healthy and well to avoid contracting TB, saying the WYFL is one of the simple tools used to achieve the desired outcome of the city in making it clean, safe, healthy, active and great.

Mr Parkop assured NCD Health, Department of Health, NGOs and corporate citizens that the commission is committed to supporting them in the campaign to end or reduce the epidemic in the city.

“If we can reduce the prevalence of HIV and AIDS cases down to less than one percent, why not TB? We can reduce it as well,” he said. 

Dr Morumai Ipai of NCD Health commended Governor Parkop for the program through which public awareness can be conducted like this on diseases affecting the people.  

Mr Ipai said TB is curable and its treatment is free, urging residents to bring TB patients in the suburbs and communities to the nearest TB treatment centers for medication.

He added that TB is a ‘number-one killer in the country’ and is second to HIV and AIDs and others below.

According to him, PNG is amongst the four countries in the Western Pacific region-with leading TB infection cases-with 300 in 100, 000 being infected with TB annually.

He further stated that this is alarming, given that TB is an air-borne disease.

“It is spread through someone infected with TB germ in his or her lungs. It is advisable to keep our environment clean and homes well-ventilated. You should practice clean habits every day.

“Its symptoms are someone experiences colored mucus, loss of weight or prolonged running nose,” he said. 

He called on residents to support health officers visiting the settlements and suburbs to ensure their safety and security is guaranteed.

Dr Ann Clerk of Businesses for Health shared similar sentiments and demonstrated to the crowd on how to cover their mouth when coughing.

She said coughing spreads TB germs.

“If I cough for two weeks, if I have TB signs and symptoms, if my family, friend or colleague has a cough then I commit to do the TB tests,” everyone pledged whilst standing up with right hands on their heart.