‘Progress of MDRT in Daru all right’

 World Health Organisation (WHO) says that progress of the multi-drug resistant TB (MDRTB) situation in Daru is satisfactory.

WHO medical officer Dr Tauhidul Islam said in Port Moresby that two weeks ago, a team of high-level officials visited Western and the WHO was happy with the progress seen.

“Daru hospital has good capacity to diagnose and treat the cases,” Islam said at a media conference last Friday.

He said with the emergency response, WHO was assisting the Government and the  Department of Health (NDoH).

“This emergency response taskforce is mainly focusing on MDRTB in three hotspot areas. That is Western, NCD and Gulf,” Islam said. 

“The patients are getting their treatment and been observed. The treatment service is close to the community, so there’s less chance to do follow ups which is very important because the full cost of treatment is the main component of the TB treatment.”

Islam said nutritional support was provided so  that TB patients were getting good food.

“With all that initiative and intervention, I think that we will see some good results,” he said.