PNG ​Health Department Calls for K514 Million to Combat Tuberculosis Over Next Three Years

Papua New Guinea needs K514 million over the next three years (2025-2027) to address tuberculosis (TB), according to an official from the Health Department. Dr. Sibauk Bieb, executive manager of public health, explained that this amount excludes the K17 million already provided by the Global Fund, which begins a new grant cycle in 2027.

Dr. Bieb shared this information with Health Secretary Dr. Osborne Liko, Deputy Secretary for Public Health Ken Wii, and other partners during the conclusion of an emergency tuberculosis programme in Port Moresby on Tuesday.

"When we discuss the TB programme, we are also addressing HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) because current data shows that only 63 percent of individuals diagnosed with TB are being tested for HIV," Dr. Bieb said. "We need to increase this rate so that those who are positive for TB also know their HIV status. If they are positive for HIV, they can start treatment. This approach serves both TB and HIV, making it a dual investment."

Dr. Bieb emphasized that this would support the rollout of the Systematic Screening Intervention (SSI) in other high-burden provinces. He mentioned that under the emergency TB project, two treatment vehicles were procured from the Netherlands at a cost of K1 million. "This investment was made possible through funding from the Global Fund under the emergency TB project," Dr. Bieb noted. "We can now purchase portable x-ray equipment that can be set up in health centres to provide diagnoses within minutes."

He stressed the importance of investing in such technologies for the effective management of TB in the country. "We need the resources," he added. "We need K514 million over the next three years to roll out this programme, which includes SSI and other essential interventions."

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