RESULTS International (Australia) is urging the Federal Government to resume funding for medical clinics in the Torres Strait Islands.
Without these clinics Papua New Guinea nationals will not receive critical care for tuberculosis (TB) and will likely increase the chances of this highly-infectious disease spreading within Australia.
In the past, these life-saving clinics have received funding from the Commonwealth and Queensland State Governments, however the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw funding for these services means that the closure of the clinics is imminent.
The Commonwealth has stated that it would instead send $43 million in AusAID funding to PNG-based health services.
“Whilst the increase in aid funding to improve health services for TB in Papua New Guinea is welcome, lasting sustainable improvements will take years to achieve.
“This means in the short term, keeping TB clinics open in the Torres Strait is imperative.” RESULTS International (Australia) National Manager Maree Nutt today said.
According to the World Health Organisation, TB is a disease of poverty affecting mostly young adults, and in 2009 1.7 million people died from the airborne contagion worldwide.
There is also a recorded death every two hours in PNG from TB, according to the National Department of Health.
“Let us not forget that tuberculosis is an airborne disease so it is a very real threat, not only to Torres Strait Islanders, but to Australians as well,” Ms Nutt added.
Coalition MPs such as Warren Entsch and Andrew Laming have also been outspoken on the issue, forecasting disastrous outcomes if Multi-Drug Resistant TB patients from PNG worked their way south, risking increased transmission to Australian citizens.
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Write a letter-to-the-editor to your local newspaper imploring the Federal Government to resume funding for medical clinics in the Torres Strait Islands.
Without these clinics Papua New Guinea nationals will not receive critical care for tuberculosis (TB) and will likely increase the chances of this highly-infectious disease spreading within Australia.
In the past, these life-saving clinics have received funding from the Commonwealth and Queensland State Governments, however the Federal Government’s decision to withdraw funding for these services means that the closure of the clinics is imminent.
The Commonwealth has stated that it would instead send $43 million in AusAID funding to PNG-based health services.
“Whilst the increase in aid funding to improve health services for TB in Papua New Guinea is welcome, lasting sustainable improvements will take years to achieve.
“This means in the short term, keeping TB clinics open in the Torres Strait is imperative.” RESULTS International (Australia) National Manager Maree Nutt today said.
According to the World Health Organisation, TB is a disease of poverty affecting mostly young adults, and in 2009 1.7 million people died from the airborne contagion worldwide.
There is also a recorded death every two hours in PNG from TB, according to the National Department of Health.
“Let us not forget that tuberculosis is an airborne disease so it is a very real threat, not only to Torres Strait Islanders, but to Australians as well,” Ms Nutt added.
Coalition MPs such as Warren Entsch and Andrew Laming have also been outspoken on the issue, forecasting disastrous outcomes if Multi-Drug Resistant TB patients from PNG worked their way south, risking increased transmission to Australian citizens.
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Write a letter-to-the-editor to your local newspaper imploring the Federal Government to resume funding for medical clinics in the Torres Strait Islands.
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