BY JOY OFASIA
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services through the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program launched the Tuberculosis (TB) National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2024-2026 on Thursday at the Aquarium Conference Room at the National Stadium in Honiar
The TB NSP 2024-2026 outlines national priorities to strengthen TB governance, surveillance, decentralized care, laboratory services and data use for decision-making, and the Guidelines provide updated clinical and operational guidance for TB prevention, diagnosis, treatment, person-cantered and ambulatory models of care, infection prevention and control, and TB preventive treatment.
Speaking at the event Deputy Director for Tuberculosis/ Leprosy Program, Dr Henry Kako said the TB strategy plan 2024-2026, aims to strengthen the TB programme and reduce the TB incidence rate from 60 cases per 100,000 population to 50 cases per 100,000 population by 2026.
He said Its seven objectives include strengthening governance, achieving 100% surveillance coverage by 2025, improving active case finding, ensuring 75% HIV and diabetes screening, expanding community-based care, ensuring TB infection prevention control in all in-patient settings for example in hospitals and event centres, and strengthening training and community engagement.
Dr Charles Fredrick TB Public Health Physician and country Director for Burnet Institute in PNG said the national strategy plan and updated guidelines is more than just technical documents.
“They signal a commitment to building a stronger and more resilient TB response and health system,” he said.
Dr Fedrick congratulated the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the National TB Programme, the provincial teams, and all the partners for their dedication and collaboration to make this happen.
The launch event took place during the four days TB Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Workshop aimed at aligning TB recording, reporting and surveillance systems with the new guidelines and strategy.
