Caption: TB support
volunteers posing for picture after receiving their certificates.
By MATTHEW VARI
SINCE its inception in 1998 to address the spread of the infectious bacterial disease- the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment Short Course Strategy) program has lacked a vital component for years, which is the volunteer supporter.
Last week saw a ceremony of certificates presented to treatment support volunteers from the National Capital District.
A total of 57 volunteers have joined the fight against tuberculosis in what is the highest rate among provinces in the country, with one third of the nation’s Tuberculosis (TB) cases diagnosed in Port Moresby.
Director for NCD Public Heath Dr Nicko Wuatai said that a sharp rise in cases in Port Moresby have been attributed to non-treatment, along with patient defaulting on their medication doses giving rise to a new Multidrug- Resistant Tuberculosis (MRD TB) cases.
He told the support volunteers that their role was vital in bringing the alarming numbers down.
“The TB Treatment Supporter Program actually started in mid-June of this year- some of the volunteers are already experienced working with some of our officers on the ground,” Dr Wuatai said.
“In the country at the moment the DOTS Program is not implemented in its entirety, because there is a need missing in the program which is the volunteer.”
“Why we need you and why a TB patient needs you is that when a TB patient is confirmed positive, that you follow the patient from the time he or she starts on the medication to the time the patient completes the treatment.”
He said that the TB supporter should be there to watch the patient swallow the medicine and fill the register form to ensure that the spread of the disease is held in check.
“Encourage patients to continue coming for TB treatment, which also means you have an important moral support in the community,” Wuatai said.
“You must have the medicines on you all time to give to the patient and to make sure that if you think that there is something wrong where the medicine is not doing much, then it is also your role to inform the patient and take them back to the facility for medical officers to attend to them.”
Through the NCD Health Services, Dr Wuatai also announced a K100 incentive for each volunteer on a fortnightly basis to reward them for their work.
Volunteers will be based in all district in NCD in various clinics for patient support and monitoring.
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