Daru Provincial Hospital in South Fly District, Western Province is one of the first facilities in the country to receive a 16 module – 10 color GeneXpert machine from.
The GeneXpert machine will be used for the detection of MTB – XDR TB at the provincial laboratory at Daru hospital.
Xpert MTB/XDR is a rapid test for detecting tuberculosis and drug resistance in one test, suitable for laboratories that do not require advanced skills and infrastructure.
According to National TB Program Manager, Dr. Margaret Karl, Western Province reports the highest number of TB cases in the country which requires more intervention to curb the disease burden.
“This machine will help decentralize TB testing and management back within the province which the National Department of Health aims to achieve across the country.”
Being that, the team from the National TB Program and the Central Public Health Laboratories conducted an orientation training on how to use the new machine to laboratory officers from Daru and Kiunga Hospitals as well as the Mabudauan Health Centre which are all Basic Management Units (BMUs) for TB in the province.
CPHL Chief Scientist, Jennifer Banamu stated that once MTB – XDR is detected, patients will be commenced on correct treatment early to stop the spread of TB.
Furthermore, Western Provincial Health Authority’s (WPHA) Curative Health Director Dr. Miriam Boga acknowledged the continuous support from the National Department of Health through NTP and CPHL as well as other health partners in the fight against TB in Western Province.
WPHA remains committed to providing accessible and optimal healthcare services to the people of Western Province.