STOMA care sessions facilitated by the PNG Stoma Association will commence on Wednesday March 3, 2021 at the Christian Women’s Association, 3 mile (behind Paradise Private Hospital).
Depending on the attendance and the need thereafter, more sessions will be held every first Wednesday of the month up to November.
The PNG Stoma Association (PNGSA) is run by Janet Yaki and has been assisting Ostomates since 2011.
Janet, an Ostomate herself, saw the need to assist people left with this condition after life-saving surgeries that resulted in parts of their bowels being removed due to diseases such as colon cancer and thus now require the use of colostomy and urostomy bags to remove waste.
Many every day Papua New Guineans with this condition cannot afford to buy stoma appliances due to the high cost in the country, and also do not have the know-how to use the bags and care for themselves, as their care and rehabilitation after surgery is not currently officially recognised by the national health system.
The 2 hour sessions will be held from 10am to 12 midday and will include information on the correct appliances to use, how to care for a stoma (wound or opening) and how to care for others (children or the elderly) with the condition.
Mrs Yaki said that with the pandemic, the association has only received a few donations of colostomy bags and other appliances over the past year and Ostomates will have to learn how to use their supplies wisely so they are not wasted or damaged.
Ostomates are encouraged to contact the PNG Stoma Association via the Facebook page or on email pngstoma.assn@gmail.com to register, receive stoma appliances or attend the sessions. All other enquiries can also be made via these channels.
The PNG Stoma Association is always in need of assistance to be able to continue their work and donations are welcome.
Mrs Yaki encourages all Ostomates and their care givers to attend and says their cooperation will be greatly appreciated.