06 December 2012

Australia committed to Tuberculosis reduction in PNG

Australia has committed to curing at least 85 per cent of tuberculosis cases diagnosed each year in Papua New Guinea’s Western Province with an additional Au$ 20 million (K43 million) announced today by Foreign Minister Bob Carr to expand local services and train medical staff.

Senator Carr said PNG had the highest incidence of TB in the Pacific, including growing numbers of drug-resistant cases.

“Western Province has some of the worst health indicators in Papua New Guinea, including high maternal and infant mortality rates and low life expectancy.

“It is prime territory for an intensive health campaign to reduce TB rates by detecting cases early and ensuring high-quality local care.

“The Au$20 million allocated will rebuild local TB clinics, improve medical training and ensure the easy availability of detection and treatment services.

“We’ re aiming for early detection of up to 80 per cent of infectious TB cases in Western Province, and a cure for 85 per cent of patients.

“Fighting tuberculosis in PNG also benefits Australia, including Torres Strait communities less than five kilometres offshore”.

The additional Au$20 million (K43 million) in anti-TB funding is on top of an existing Au$11 million AusAID commitment in Western Province, and includes:

• Up to $10m for new TB facilities at Daru Hospital;
• Up to $5m for new wards and treatment areas at Mabaduan Health Centre; and
• $5m towards primary TB care in small clinics in Middle and South Fly.

The expansion of local clinics would ensure the majority of local TB cases could be treated in their own communities, consistent with the World Health Organisation guidelines.

In 2012-13 AusAID will provide $104 million (K226 million) to improve the PNG health system.