Lung TB Disease In Two Districts In Wondama Bay Is Quite High

WONDAMA TELUK - The findings of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB pulmonary) in eight villages from two districts in Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua Province, namely Teluk Duairi District and Roon District are still quite high.

Based on data from the Aisandami Health Center whose service area covers the Districts of Teluk Duari and Roon District, from January to April 2024 there were 16 cases of pulmonary TB.

"The pulmonary TB case has the potential to be higher because most residents are still reluctant, even refusing to be examined or discriminated by medical officers," said Head of the Aisandami Health Center Mesak Sayori in Wondama Bay, Sunday.

According to him, residents of eight villages from Teluk Duairi District and Roon District who have followed the investigation have not reached half of the total population as targets. For example, in Aisandami Village, Teluk Duairi District, out of 618 people who were targeted, only 32 people had undergone screening by local medics.

"We have coordinated with the district government regarding the mass screening program starting from Aisandami Village and will continue to all villages," said Mesak.

Doctor Julio Ericks Krey who served at the Aisandami Health Center said the findings of pulmonary TB cases were spread over eight villages, where on average one to four villages. pulmonary TB is an infectious disease caused by TB germs that attack the lungs, according to him, lung TB patients can recover if they regularly take drugs.

"Until now there have been three cases of death. In fact, this disease can be cured by taking medicine (on a regular basis)," said Julio.

Meanwhile, Bidan Rismayanti from the Aisandami Health Center revealed that his party also encountered many obstacles in dealing with patients with the Paru TB case, including patients who were not disciplined in taking drugs. Residents who are in close contact with positive cases still often refuse during phlegm examinations.

"There are still many who do not support the treatment. Sometimes the officer has given the medicine, it is impossible for the officer to come to the house regularly, so we tell the family. But sometimes the family also doesn't remind them to take medicine," said Midwife Risma.

The Head of Duari Bay District Kristian Yosep Manupapami supports the mass screening of the pulmonary TB case because the actual number of cases is still much higher than what has been found by the Aisandami Health Center.

"We have coordinated with the head of the puskesmas, although there is no budget, we are ready to help so that socialization is carried out as well as screening," said Kristian.