By Staff Reporter

TB Killing Papua New Guineans at Alarming Rates, Health Statistics Show

13/11/2024

Tuberculosis (TB) has emerged as the leading cause of death in Papua New Guinea, according to recent statistics released by the National Department of Health (NDoH). Addressing the 24th National Health Conference this week, NDoH Chief Psychiatrist Dr. Monica Hagali revealed data from the 2023 National Hospital Discharge Summary report showing that TB accounted for 952 deaths last year, representing one in seven deaths nationwide.

Dr. Hagali reported that cancer ranked as the second leading cause, responsible for approximately 396 deaths. In contrast, liver disease had the lowest mortality rate among the major causes, with 173 hospital-reported deaths.

For pediatric mortality, Dr. Hagali highlighted that low birth weight (LBW) was the primary cause of death among children, accounting for 243 fatalities, which represented one in eight pediatric deaths. Pneumonia followed closely, causing 239 pediatric deaths, equating to about one in ten child fatalities.

Additionally, Dr. Hagali noted that perinatal deaths—those occurring shortly before or after birth—were highest in Chimbu, Morobe, and the National Capital District (NCD), with stillbirths making up approximately 84% of perinatal deaths.

The report also pointed to a troubling number of maternal deaths, totaling 367. The highest incidence was observed in the Momase region, with 50 maternal deaths in Madang, 47 in East Sepik, and 33 in Morobe.

The three-day National Health Conference concluded with discussions on solutions to address these health challenges and emphasized a commitment to achieving universal health coverage across the country.

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