Tuberculosis on PNG border 'a priority'

22 Feb 2012, 7:01 pm   -   Source: Stefan Armbruster, SBS
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Australia has told PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill it is boosting funding for tuberculosis facilities in the Western Province. (AAP)

Australia has told PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill it is boosting funding for tuberculosis facilities in the Western Province. (AAP)

Australia has told Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O’Neill that addressing tuberculosis on the joint border in the Torres Strait is a priority.

TB fears for PNG

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Australia has told Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O’Neill that addressing tuberculosis on the joint border in the Torres Strait is a priority.

Australia's international aid agency AusAid has announced an $A8million project to boost tuberculosis facilities in the Western Province capital Daru and along coastal villages.

It follows the controversial end earlier this month to federal government-funded clinics in the Torres Strait treating Papua New Guinea's patients illegally crossing the border.

AusAid director general Peter Baxter says there will now be a greater focus by the agency on treating multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in the Western Province.

"I briefed Prime Minister O'Neill while I've been here and they're very well aware of the priority the Australian government places on addressing this issue and obviously we have a strong interest in ensuring the security of our border from the perspective of making sure the disease doesn't spread through the Torres Strait, and that's why we're here and that's why were increasing our efforts," he told SBS.

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