MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
AusAID
Australia has today delivered essential equipment to Daru to help health authorities in Papua New Guinea's (PNG) Western Province to treat tuberculosis (TB).
The delivery included a purpose-built sea ambulance to conduct health outreach patrols along the South Fly coast, providing health services and medical support, including to people undergoing TB treatment.
A new digital X-ray unit has also been provided to the Daru General Hospital.
AusAID Minister Councillor in PNG, Stuart Schaefer, said the Western Province health service was now well placed to treat TB patients.
'Australia has provided more than $8 million to help build the capacity of Western Province health services,' Mr Schaefer said.
'Our support has included the establishment of a temporary TB ward at Daru Hospital until construction of a new AusAID-funded ward is completed at the end of this year, as well as one year's supply of medication to treat multi-drug resistant TB.
'Efforts to address TB in Western Province are now much more collaborative and the Western and National Health Departments are taking ownership of the issue. We will continue to build their capacity to respond to TB over the coming years.'