Thanks to HOPE worldwide, if you live in Australia and have an old computer you no longer use, you can send it to the children of Papua New Guinea.

Reducing the Incidence of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) has ravaged Papua New Guinea since it was inadvertently introduced in the late 1800’s. It affects everyone, including children, adolescents, young adults and the aged from all walks of life. Approximately 70% of cases are pulmonary (in the lungs), but it can also develop in the lymph glands, joints, meninges (around the brain) and other organs. It is one of the great mimickers of medicine, and often fatal without proper treatment.

Adolescents and adults who have pulmonary tuberculosis can spread the disease when they cough. One person can unknowingly infect dozens. Those infected may not even realize it since the disease may remain dormant and undetected for years before reactivating and making them ill. Often this occurs when the immune system is weakened by HIV infection. In fact, TB is the most common cause of death in AIDS patients.

If caught early, tuberculosis is curable. However patients need to receive treatment for 6-9 months. Stopping the treatment early leads to a recurrence of the disease, others people becoming infected and sometimes antibiotic resistance. But, who wants to take a treatment for six months, when you are feeling better after one month? HOPE worldwide – Papua New Guinea is working to encourage and monitor patients as part of the DOTS program developed by the World Health Organization. HOPE worldwide oversees the DOTS program for the whole of the National Capital District, with support from the Global Fund and The Charitable Foundation.

We are happy to report that last quarter, treatment rates were at the highest level in many years. If treatments continue at these rates we are well on the way to reducing the threat of tuberculosis for the people of Papua New Guinea.