Today is World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. Every year ChildFund Australia marks the occasion by raising awareness about one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. TB has devastating health, social and economic consequences for people around the world – but particularly for the world’s most vulnerable children and young people.
Every day around the world, 4,100 people die from TB and one in 10 people with it is a child.In Papua New Guinea, the rate of infection is one of the highest in the world.
We caught up with Olive Oa (pictured left) ChildFund Papua New Guinea Health Program Manager, to hear how they are continuing to support children and young people to access vital health services to diagnose and treat TB.
What is the current TB situation in PNG?
Papua New Guinea experiences extremely high rates of TB across the country, particularly when compared to the rest of the world. This is largely due to lack of access to health care and low rates of immunisation.
In the Central Province, TB is still very common in the communities and health centres we work in. Here, there are 15 health centres that diagnose and support patients who test positive for TB. All 15 health centres have at least one staff trained to care for and manage TB patients. ChildFund works in six health facilities in the surrounding area.
What is CFPNG doing to address these issues?
We set up a genetic testing machine to test for Tuberculosis in Bereina, Kwikila, and Porebada. In Bereina, the testing machines run on solar power.
We have trained 60 TB Treatment supporters across the six communities to support patients who have been diagnosed with TB and provide them with the right treatment. After an individual is diagnosed with TB, they are sent home and their closest treatment centre is notified so they can continue to access care and medication.
Many of those working at the treatment centre are trained community health volunteers.
What progress has been made since starting these activities?
We have continued to ensure that these testing centres are operational, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the Bereina Health Centre, we set up a standby generator that can provide electricity when solar power isn’t available. We are also planning for a refresher training for the Kairuku District Health workers to provide more information about treating TB.
What challenges is CFPNG facing in treating TB?
In my experience, there are several major challenges that we face. Firstly, many of these patients come from very remote village in the communities we work in. The roads are so bad that cars cannot access them for weeks at a time. Also, people with suspected TB often wait until they are very sick before they reach out for help meaning their treatment is delayed. Finally, although the community health volunteers provide good support, they are often under-resourced as we don’t have enough funds to support this work.
What is ChildFund doing next to support individuals with TB in PNG?
We need to improve the capacity of health workers at every health centre. Right now, 80% of the health work force is community health workers. All health facilities undertaking TB work should be supported with the right training, communication and solar power that can provide basic microscopy testing, lighting, and electricity.
The Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal has warmly welcomed the Australian Government’s $2 million commitment to Ukraine, which will support 15 Australian humanitarian aid charities that have united to launch an unprecedented, centralised appeal to help those affected by the war.
This Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal makes it easier for Australians to know how to help, and ensures funds are directed to those charities best able to help. Australians can donate to the appeal via the Emergency Action Alliance website.
In a joint media statement from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Foreign Minister Marise Payne and other key ministers, the Government said: “to enhance the response of Australian NGOs and their partners in the region, we will provide $2 million to the Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal – funding which will attract matched private donations.”
EAA Executive Director Kerren Morris said: “We welcome the support of the Australian Government through this $2 million contribution. This funding will be used to help attract matched private donations – thus helping to increase the impact. Now we are asking the public to give to this appeal so we can help even more people. The crisis in Ukraine is of such a scale that the Australian charities involved will leverage efforts together to raise more funds to assist those affected by this crisis. Families, including many children, have been forced to leave everything they know behind to find safety and desperately need food, water and shelter. Our members are working tirelessly with local partners to reach people in Ukraine swiftly as the brutal conflict turns lives upside down.”
EAA gives Australians one single, trustworthy way to help in a time of crisis. EAA has 12 member charities responding in Ukraine and across the border in the neighbouring countries, working to meet the immediate needs of all people fleeing with food, water, medical assistance, protection and trauma care.
CEO of ChildFund Australia, Margaret Sheehan, said: “ChildFund Australia welcomes the action taken from the Australian Government to commit $2M to Ukraine, as we join forces with 15 charities to mobilise assistance, to assist families, children and young people fleeing their homes in the millions. We are collaborating closely with our partners on the ground by supplying food, basic items, temporary accommodation and psychosocial support for children and families. We continue to call for immediate ceasefire.”
CEO of EAA Member agency Tearfund, Matthew Maury, said: “This contribution from the Australian Government underscores the importance of a collective approach. Not only are our 15 EAA charities working together to raise more funds, 12 of them are also working together on the ground, with their counterparts and partners in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries. It is for emergencies like this, with such immense need and so many charities assisting that we established Emergency Action Alliance. The EAA makes it easier for Australians to know how to help, and the money goes directly to those organisations best placed to provide that help.”
The conflict in Ukraine has created Europe’s fastest growing refugee crisis since World War II. Three million people have been forced to flee Ukraine and at least 1.85 million more have been internally displaced by the military hostilities.
Inside Ukraine, homes have been destroyed, essential infrastructure such as water supplies, hospitals and schools have been hit. People are being forced to hide in shelters and metro stations to stay safe.
As a result, hundreds of thousands of people are crossing borders into Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova, triggering a large-scale humanitarian crisis. The majority crossing the borders are women and children arriving with only what they can carry. The UN estimates that 12 million people are in need of life-saving assistance.
Australians who want to help in this crisis are encouraged to donate via the Emergency Action Alliance website.
The EAA is made up of ActionAid, Act For Peace, ADRA, Anglican Overseas Aid, Australia for UNHCR, Australian Lutheran World Service, Baptist World Aid, Care Australia, Caritas, CBM, ChildFund, Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children Australia and Tearfund Australia.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Media enquiries please call 0410457869.
We have spokespeople available in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova and Australia.
Interview requests: For more information or to request interviews please contact: kmorris@emergencyaction.org.au
A collection of images and video footage of EAA member charities responding as refugees arrive into neighbouring countries is available on request.
About Emergency Action Alliance (EAA): EAA brings together 15 leading Australian aid charities at times of crisis overseas to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response. EAA’s 15 member charities are: ActionAid, ADRA, Act For Peace, Australian Lutheran World Service, Anglican Overseas Aid, Care Australia, Baptist World Aid, Caritas, CBM, ChildFund, Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children Australia, Tearfund and Australia for UNHCR.
Twelve of EAA’s 15 members are either responding or planning to respond in Ukraine or in neighbouring countries and will receive funds from this appeal. Some may work through trusted local partners while others will work through their European counterparts.
Photo credit: Anthony Upton/DEC
How to donate:
Online: https://emergencyaction.org.au/ukraineemergencyappeal
Phone: 1300 939 000
SMS: Text ACTION to 0400 662 662
