PORT MORESBY SEES A RISE IN TURBERCULOSIS CASES

An increase in tuberculosis cases has been recorded at a clinic in Papua New Guinea’s capital.

The Post Courier reported about 300 cases had been diagnosed so far this year at 6 Mile in Port Moresby, compared to 700 in all of 2019. Nurse Pauline Tove said the clinic saw 60 to 100 patients each day, 20 to 30 of which had TB.

She said a 25-year-old WhO programme to help patients recover seemed to be losing efficacy. Under the direct observed treatment, short-course (TBDOTS) programme, a patient supporter is trained to ensure the full course of medication is taken. Last year, NGO Business for Health observed drug resistant TB was growing in PNG.