Burnet Institute, in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Program, the Australian Government, TB Alliance, and the WHO, has rolled out a new all-oral treatment regimen for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in Papua New Guinea. This new regimen combines bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid, reducing treatment duration from up to 18 months to just 6 months.

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The WHO has endorsed this regimen due to its proven efficacy and safety, making it a significant step forward in the global fight against DR-TB. With around 2,400 new cases of DR-TB reported annually in Papua New Guinea, this treatment is expected to improve patient adherence, reduce healthcare costs, and increase treatment success rates.

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The rollout of this innovative treatment is part of efforts to strengthen tuberculosis care in the region and combat the growing threat of drug-resistant strains.

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For more details, visit Burnet Institute’s official announcement here.