Madang marked World Tuberculosis Day recently on March 24, 2026, under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB in PNG,” alongside celebrations of National Women’s Day.
The dual commemoration brought together a large and vibrant crowd, with women’s groups, community members, and health officers from the Madang Provincial Health Authority (MaPHA) turning up in numbers to show their commitment to fighting tuberculosis and promoting women’s role in community health.
The awareness campaign began early in the morning at Madang Provincial Hospital, where participants gathered before moving through Sagalau and 4 Mile. The procession, filled with banners, messages, and public engagement, concluded at Bates Oval, the main venue for the program.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Waikesa Kalala highlighted the growing concern of tuberculosis in the province, stating that Madang now records one of the highest TB cases in the country, ahead of Morobe Province.
“We must work together to fight TB in the province. TB treatment is free,” he said, emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment.
Dr. Kalala urged communities to take ownership of the fight against TB by spreading awareness at the grassroots level and encouraging those showing symptoms to seek medical help immediately.
He also paid tribute to mothers as key partners in the fight against TB. As Madang celebrated National Women’s Day, he described mothers as “heroes” who play a vital role in caring for families and ensuring the health and wellbeing of their children and communities.
Statistics presented during the program revealed that Madang has approximately 3,500 confirmed TB cases, with 2,136 cases recorded in the Madang Local Level Government area alone. Of these cases, about 25 percent have successfully recovered through treatment, while 5 percent have died from the disease, highlighting both progress and the ongoing challenge.
Adding a personal perspective to the awareness, Chairman of the Madang Provincial Events Committee, Siegfried Beschel, shared his powerful testimony after battling multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). He underwent a long and challenging treatment process lasting 18 months, from 2024 to December 2025, and has now fully recovered.
His story served as a message of hope and encouragement to others.
“TB is growing, and we must work together through awareness and by being faithful to treatment,” he said.
He stressed that recovery is possible if patients follow medical advice and remain committed to their treatment, urging people to trust health workers and not fear seeking help.
At Bates Oval, free HIV and AIDS testing services were provided, along with TB awareness and health education, giving members of the public access to essential health services and information.
The event also created a platform for collaboration between health authorities, women’s groups, and the wider community, reinforcing the message that ending TB requires collective action.
Organisers are continuing to urge the public to actively participate in awareness programs and take advantage of free testing services.
