The National Department of Health (NDOH), in collaboration with vital partners World Vision, World Bank, Catholic Health Services, and the Christian Church Health Services has successfully completed a week-long refresher workshop on Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (PMDT) at St Joseph Mingendi District Catholic Hospital.

Leading the workshop were NDOH’s Disease Control technical experts Dr. Petronia Kaima, Dr. Margaret Kal, and Ms. Ladong Belari, together with Simbu PHA’s own specialists Dr. Dimitry Kep and Ms. Rose Pari. The training concluded with Disease Control officers from facilities across all six districts of Simbu Province proudly receiving Certificates of Completion.

This refresher training is essential to equip frontline health workers with the skills to better identify and manage TB and drug-resistant TB. Encouragingly, Simbu Province has recorded steady improvements in TB treatment outcomes, with the Treatment Success Rate rising from 76% in 2023 to 83% in 2025. The national target remains at 90%, but this upward trend reflects the dedication of Simbu PHA staff, particularly those in Disease Control Services.

Special thanks go to Dr. Petronia Kaima, Dr. Margaret Kal, Ms. Ladong Belari, Dr. Dimitry Kep, and TB Officer Rose Talpa Pari, as well as all participants who contributed to the success of this workshop.

As certificates were awarded, the message was clear: this knowledge must now translate into improved implementation of TB services across Simbu Province.

God bless the efforts of all who continue to fight TB and safeguard the health of our communities.