Telling the tuberculosis story in pictures

The World Vision TB DOTS project is launching a nationwide photography competition titled Images to Stop Tuberculosis- TB Photo Award in Papua New Guinea from Jan 26, 2009 till Feb 27.

Almost 3, 000 people die every year in Papua New Guinea from TB and TB is the leading cause of death amongst people infected with HIV.

The first initiative of its kind, it is inviting members of the public to submit outstanding photos depicting TB prevention and treatment and community activity to raise awareness about it.

World Vision Pacific Development Group (WVPDG) operations director Curt von Boguslawski says he hopes the competition will increase community participation on a whole new creative level and hopefully bring a human face to the TB disease and the fight against it.

“We would also like to thank our sponsors - the Media Council of Papua New Guinea and Digicel - for their continued support and we look forward to seeing the entries,” he said.

Digicel chief executive officer PNG John Mangos said: “Digicel firmly believes in giving back to the communities in which it operates.

“Digicel is proud to back this World Vision initiative, which will both showcase photographic talent in PNG and more importantly, raise awareness of TB, which is a vital and often debilitating health issue for the people of this country.

“Digicel would also like to commend World Vision for its efforts in addressing this issue, and wish you the best for the future with this work.”

“We would like to encourage those who are enthusiastic photographers, both amateur and professional, and are 18years and over and not an affiliate of World Vision, its partners or stakeholders, to enter the competition.”

The winner will receive an award of K1, 500, second prize K800 and third prize K500.

There will also be six Digicel mobile phones to be awarded to all the prize winners including three consolation prizes for three other photographs as runner-up to the grand prize.

In culmination of World TB day celebrations on Mar 24, an exhibition will be held in the NCD and other provinces.

 Hence, these photographic images pertaining to TB related issues, will help to embrace the effort to promote greater awareness as they will have come from the eyes of the public themselves.

For further information on the competition contact Kristine Kepore at WVPDC on tele phone 311 2530. facsimile 325 4225 or email Kristine_Kepore@wvi.org.