Australia has strengthened Papua New Guinea's ability to treat tuberculosis (TB) in Western Province with the delivery of some much-needed new medical equipment.
A new digital X-ray unit was switched on for the first time at Daru General Hospital, which will mean faster diagnosis of TB. It will also allow X-rays to be emailed to specialists at other centres for expert opinion.
In addition, a purpose-built sea ambulance has been delivered to Daru to conduct health outreach patrols along the South Fly Coast, beginning next week. The sea ambulance will provide health services and medical support to people living along the South Fly, including those undergoing TB treatment.
Year eight school student Les Vila from Kara Kara Primary School in Daru won a competition to name the sea ambulance, calling it the MV Medics Queen. As a prize, AusAID' s Head of Aid in PNG, Stuart Schaefer handed over a bicycle to Les and sporting equipment for his school.
AusAID has committed $8 million to helping Western Province respond to TB. Our support has included establishing a temporary TB ward at Daru hospital, until a new AusAID-funded TB ward is completed at the end of this year, as well as providing funding for staff and one year's supply of multi-drug resistant TB drugs.
Australia is also funding a TB treatment and prevention program called Stop TB in Western Province. The program focuses on improving awareness of TB and providing treatment support at the community level.
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. Australia will continue to help build PNG's capacity to respond to TB over the coming years.