By Sharlyne Eri – EMTV News, Port Moresby
Syphilis is a disease common among pregnant women and can be harmful to unborn babies.
The only way to detect this disease is with syphilis kits, which, unfortunately, are lacking in hospitals all over the country.
Port Moresby General Hospital’s Head of Reproductive Health, Dr. Glen Mola, said 4 out of 100 pregnant women are likely to acquire syphilis.
In order to protect an unborn baby from syphilis, the mother has to be tested and treated immediately.
The test for syphilis is part of the standard medical check-up that pregnant women go through during their routine clinic check-ups.
Only with a syphilis kit, can a pregnant woman be tested for the disease. The test is vital as the well-being of an unborn depends on it.
Dr. Mola is concerned that syphilis kits are lacking in hospitals throughout the country.
He confirmed that the Port Moresby General Hospital had also been facing a shortage of syphilis kits for almost a year.
The hospital was fortunate to purchase some kits with its own funds in October; however, the concern remains for hospitals in outside centers.
Last month the United Nations Population Fund came to the aid of the Port Moresby General Hospital with the donation of a Manuel Vacuum Extractor for women with complicated pregnancies.
Dr. Mola said the hospital only had one excavator, and it was thankful to UNFPA for the donation.
