B4H RECRUITS MEDFAC STUDENTS FOR WORLD TB DAY

In the lead-up to tomorrow’s, World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, Businesses for Health PNG (B4H) along with University of Papua New Guinea Medical Faculty students took to the streets of Port Moresby city, delivering high-impact TB awareness displays at the city’s busiest traffic locations.

This bold initiative shines a very bright light on the Tuberculosis epidemic.

TB is Papua New Guinea’s deadliest infectious disease, and biggest reason for admission to hospital. The displays drive home the message that TB is not only a health crisis but a major workforce issue.

Last year alone, PNG recorded over 45,000 new cases of TB, with the majority affecting young people of working age and children.

TB is particularly concentrated in the country’s business hubs—Port Moresby and Lae and it is a serious threat to workforce productivity and community well-being.

“With so many TB cases affecting workers or their children, Tuberculosis is a huge workforce health and productivity issue,” explains Dr. Ann Clarke, Project Director at B4H.

“This year, we’ve taken that message to the streets. Literally Street-side and during peak hour traffic to reach thousands of commuters with crucial TB information.”

In a first for B4H, the project recruited University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) medical & health students to join the campaign.

These future doctors played a key role in delivering highly visible, engaging street-side and holding bright yellow placards with clear, powerful messages about PNG’s growing TB epidemic.

The students positioned themselves at Moresby’s most congested intersections at Waigani, inside Vision City, and downtown at peak hour. The awareness was done by displays to capture the attention of thousands of commuters stuck in traffic.

Jordan Alphonse, a 5th-year medical student who led his fellow students in coordinating the effort with B4H by ensuring that the students were well-supported by providing snacks, water, safety support, and transport costs, thanked the generosity of its partners and sponsors.

Teresa Koratsi, B4H’s Workplace TB Coordinator, praised the students’ dedication.

“We’re absolutely delighted with our student helpers. They took their classroom knowledge and rapidly became experts in delivering short, sharp TB lessons to commuters. Their energy and commitment were outstanding.”

Shoppers at Vision City and commuter’s downtown were equally engaged, receiving TB brochures and having the opportunity to ask the students questions.

“We didn’t expect to share so much information with people in cars and on PMVs,” said 4th year Pharmacy student Bailyn Bale.

“It felt great to see so many people thank us. The bright placards and conversations really made an impact. The people really appreciated our work today.”

This campaign’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of key partners. Lorrie Tapora, B4H organizer, acknowledged their contributions.

“We are so grateful to Jordan, UPNG Med Faculty, BizPrint for printing our materials, Paradise Foods for snacks, G4S for providing street-side security, and the Sir Brian Bell Foundation, who funded our banners, materials, and even bus fares for the students. It’s been a fantastic few days, and together we’ve made a real difference in raising awareness of PNG’s TB crisis.”

To conclude the 3-day awareness, tomorrow afternoon B4H and the MedFac students will be alongside the traffic outside the RPYC from 2:30pm to 4:30pm.