PRIME-TB: Papua New Guinea and the Republic of Indonesia for the Micro Elimination of TB

Objective

The PRIME-TB project has been supporting the tuberculosis (TB) response in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Indonesia with a focus on strengthening systems, building local capacity and applying practical evidence-based solutions to address TB. 

Effective models of care to search, treat and prevent TB have been developed and implemented as a result of the progress made towards the project objectives presented below:

• knowledge generated and innovative solutions tested for the micro elimination of TB in PNG and Indonesia
• sustainable capacity developed in public health systems, key institutions and people leaders for the micro elimination of TB in PNG and Indonesia
• a regional platform and partnerships developed for knowledge sharing of best practice for TB elimination across PNG, Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Australia.

Approach

A search-treat-prevent strategy has been implemented for this project where populations are actively screened for TB, especially those that are at a higher-risk of getting the disease.

Treatment is provided through local health care centres and hospitals with a focus on shorter drug regimens to reduce treatment time and fewer side effects.

People who require TB treatment are also provided with access to other wrap-around support services, including nutrition and psychosocial outreach.

Prevention activities, such as contact tracing and education programs are in place to help mitigate the spread of TB, especially in denser living environments or where access to health services and other resources may be limited. 

Key partners of the Burnet Institute for this program include the Menzies School of Health Research, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), the PNG Institute of Medical Research (IMR), and local and provincial governments in respective project locations.

Timeline

2018–2022.

Community impact

PRIME-TB has allowed the creation and translation of knowledge into better TB care in PNG and Indonesia. 

Better TB care has been achieved through patient-centred care approaches as well as TB capacity strengthening of local health workforces.

There has been a focus on programmatic management of DR-TB in addition to the application of effective innovations and models of care to search, treat and prevent TB, such as active case finding including novel tools.

More information

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