NCD RECORDS HIGHEST TB CASES
THE National Capital District has recorded the highest number of patients with Tuberculosis reported cases.
According to statistics confirmed by the Health Minister Elisa Kapavore, a total of 8, 081 reported cases in NCD, followed by Morobe province, with a record 6, 366 cases.
Statistics now show that the two major cities in the country have registered high number of TB cases with also high transmission rate.
Other high burden provinces include, Simbu, East Sepik with, Eastern Highlands and Enga recording over 3000 cases.
In 2025, PNG Diagnosed 51, 333 TB cases including multidrug resistant TB and 1, 380 deaths.
The health minister says, this trajectory must change and the health ministry is committed to strengthen, prevent and improve early detection, access to quality diagnosis and treatment and work closely with the provinces, health workers, partners and communities so no one is left behind.
The minister remarked his statement on the World TB day yesterday in his call for renewed commitment and accelerated action to end TB in Papua New Guinea.
Minister Kapavore highlighted that Tuberculosis still remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious disease and World Health Organisation estimates that 10.7 million people fell ill with TB in 2024, with more than 1.2 million deaths globally.
Papua New Guinea continues to face a heavy TB burden and remains amongs the high burden countries in the Western Pacific.
Health Minsiter Elias Kapavore emphasised that TB can be prevented and is curable, early detection and effective treatment are critical to stopping transmission.
He says, last year, Papua New Guinea recorded over 51, 000 TB cases and over 700 multidrug resistant cases with over 1300 deaths.
Minister kapavore says, these statistics reflects significant human and economic impacts with TB remaining one of PNG’s leading infectious disease killer.
He says, the government response is guided by the National health Plan or 2021-2030 focus on strengthening health systems, primary health care and service delivery.
