TB services have been brought closer to the community, with an anticipated screening of over 800 inmates at Bomana Prison for Tuberculosis in the next two weeks.
This initiative is part of the National Department of Health’s Systematic Screening Intervention (SSI) programme, executed through the Emergency Tuberculosis (TB) Project (ETP) and supported by the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA).
The screening campaign kicked off this week, commencing with orientation and awareness sessions at Bomana Prison and the Zone three community in Joyce Bay, located in the Moresby South Electorate, on Wednesday.
SSI Project team commence screening at Zone 3 Joyce Bay screening site on Thursday. Pictures supplied
Bomana Prison Commander Yelli Oiufa, launched the screening exercise at the Bomana Prison yard on Wednesday.
On Thursday, more than 80 inmates at Bomana and over 30 community leaders from Joyce Bay underwent screening.
Present at the event were inmates, project manager Walley Ambano, NCDPHA representatives, SSI screening health staff, and Correctional Services (CS) staff, including medical personnel.
During the launch, Oiufa emphasised the importance of early TB treatment, highlighting the potential adverse consequences if left untreated.
He expressed satisfaction that the screening had commenced at the prison and would subsequently extend to CS staff and the surrounding community.
“We are all going to go through this TB screening; prevent, test, and if positive, get treatment.”
The SSI was also initiated at Joyce Bay in Moresby South, taking place at the Evegima United Church grounds where the testing site was established,” Oiufa said.
Joseph and Philo Mage, community leaders in Joyce Bay, were among the first to be screened. They eagerly sought to know their TB status and were pleased to receive initial reports indicating clear chest X-rays.
This government-led TB initiative, supported by key development partners such as NCDPHA, National Tuberculosis Program, WHO, DFAT, and World Vision, is implemented by the National Department of Health through the Emergency TB Project, funded by the World Bank Health Portfolio in PNG.
The Emergency TB Project aims to enhance the quality, coverage, and utilization of health services to control the spread of Tuberculosis in targeted areas of PNG, including the NCD, by strengthening programmatic management of Tuberculosis.
SSI project team led by project manager Dr Walley Ambano meeting Bomana Prison Commander Mr Yelli Oiufa. – Picture supplied
