Story by Tonny Herok
The Heart of Mary Health Centre, situated along the picturesque north coast of Madang province, plays a pivotal role in providing healthcare services to the local population.
Managed under the umbrella of Catholic Health Services, this facility caters to a substantial populace ranging from twenty to thirty thousand residents.
This coverage extends over certain segments of the Sumkar district, encompassing the geographic span from Rempi to Banab.
At the forefront of healthcare concerns in the area is Tuberculosis (TB), a challenge that the health center grapples with on a daily basis.
Miriam Bagg, an experienced Community Health Worker (CHW), supervises the TB clinic at the health center. With a steadfast commitment spanning 29 years, Bagg has devoted her tenure to tending to the clinic’s needs.
Sister Miriam sheds light on an issue that has become particularly pronounced in recent times. Since 2021, the clinic has been confronted with a notable problem – a surge in the rate of lost follow-up cases.
This predicament unfolds as patients undergoing TB treatment fail to return for their subsequent appointments, with some individuals relocating to different areas altogether.
Attributing this trend to a lack of educational awareness within the community, Sister Bagg underscores the urgency of imparting knowledge about safeguarding oneself from TB and the critical importance of consistent treatment.
She emphasizes that enhancing community understanding can significantly impact patient adherence to treatment regimens.
In a resounding call to action, Sister Bagg appeals to both the Catholic and Provincial Health Authority to intensify their efforts in bridging this gap.
She emphasizes that effective outreach is pivotal to ensuring those afflicted with TB receive the necessary support.
As she succinctly puts it, “People are dying because we are not reaching out for them.”
It is her conviction that a concerted educational campaign, bolstered by the engagement of these health authorities, holds the potential to save lives and curb the spread of TB.
In a region where Heart of Mary Health Center stands as a beacon of hope and care, addressing the challenges posed by TB stands as a crucial objective.
With collaborative efforts and proactive interventions, in fighting TB, the health center envisions a future where TB’s impact is minimized, and the health and well-being of the community are secured.
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