Tuberculosis thrives in conditions of poverty, affecting the most disadvantaged people in the world. Reducing its impact means delivering better and more effective vaccines and treatments. It also means supporting the work of local health systems.
Tuberculosis or ‘TB’ has long been an issue in Papua New Guinea (PNG). In 2014, the PNG government responded to outbreaks across the country by declaring a ‘Drug-resistant TB Emergency’. Almost a decade later, TB remains one of the primary causes of hospital admissions across the country.
“That’s the challenge with TB. As new innovations come online, they’ve got to be put into the places where they’re most needed - and those are often the places where the health systems are most challenged.” —Associate Professor Suman Majumdar
Burnet Institute works in Western Province, an area that borders the Torres Strait Islands, and which faces significant challenges in housing, health, nutrition and education. Back in 2014, it was a TB hotspot.
Our focus is on supporting the provincial government with a technical assistance program aimed at strengthening the local health system and building local capacity. We help local services plan and design approaches to reducing the impact of TB. We train local people to manage those programs. And we provide ongoing implementation support where it is needed.
“Epidemics strike where there is vulnerability. That’s why strengthening health systems is so critical.” —Associate Professor Suman Majumdar
Western Province is now making significant progress against TB. Despite ongoing challenges with drug-resistance, death rates have dropped and treatment outcomes have risen from a baseline rate of 50%, to 80% - equal to the best in the world.
Where are we now?
- The Tuberculosis crisis in PNG has been stabilised.
- Over the last few years, 255 deaths have been averted and treatment success rates have increased from 50% in 2013 to over 80% from 2016 onwards.
- New tools and models of care have been adopted, such as community contact tracing, TB preventive treatment and new technologies (rapid diagnostics and chest x-ray with artificial intelligence).
- The estimated overall return on investment has been AUD $2.30 for every dollar spent.
- Gains made in terms of the strength of the local health system and community engagement pathways played a role in the COVID-19 response, including the most successful vaccination rollout in PNG.