Former Papua New Guinea prime minister, Sir Mekere Morauta, says money promised for the fight against tuberculosis must be made available.
Photo: RNZI / Koroi Hawkins
He says the national government and the Fly River provincial governments six months ago promised US$13 million dollars to fight TB in Western, Gulf and Central provinces, but are yet to pay it out.
The former leader says the money is needed right now if the National Health Department, Provincial Health, NGOs and aid agencies are to stop the crisis spreading.
Sir Mekere says information from the Department of Health and the World Health Organisation show that the threat from multi-drug-resistant TB in three hotspots, the National Capital District, Daru and Gulf, is a matter of great national concern.
He says the TB problem in Daru is unprecedented.
Sir Mekere says the Government should put the people first, not promote itself through showpiece events, such as the Pacific Games and APEC, and infrastructure projects like Paga Hill.