Papua New Guinea is taking significant steps to strengthen its response to tuberculosis (TB) by expanding in-country diagnostic capacity – an essential factor in accurate detection, monitoring treatment progress, and managing drug resistant TB.
With support from Australia, the Queensland Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory (QMRL) – a leading reference laboratory in TB diagnostics – is partnering closely with the PNG Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL).
Each year, PNG sends around 900 TB samples to QMRL for specialist testing not currently available in-country.
Building on this collaboration and with a focus on sustainability, CPHL analysts recently completed an intensive training program at QMRL, gaining hands-on experience in analytical processing, laboratory testing, and diagnostic techniques.
The partnership was further strengthened during a recent visit to Port Moresby by QMRL Director Dr Chris Coulter and Chief Scientist Dr Sushil Pandey. Their visit included on-site technical support, operational assessments, and guidance on quality control processes.
The team also reviewed the capability of PNG’s only level 3 physical containment laboratory, which provides the enhanced biosecurity required to safely handle TB samples.
“This practical training supported CPHL staff to ensure they can handle samples safely, grow the bacteria in the lab, and identify if someone has TB. They also learned how to check if the bacteria are resistant to medicines, which is important for giving patients the right treatment quickly,” Dr Coulter said.
The program also introduced new advanced diagnostic methods designed to improve understanding of TB transmission and support more effective public health responses.
“This training is important because it will make the local laboratory more capable of diagnosing TB accurately and faster, which can save lives. It also helps prepare the lab for future technology that can improve how TB is fought in PNG,” Dr Coulter added.
Jennifer Banamu, Scientific Officer in Charge of the National TB Reference Laboratory at CPHL, said the restoration of TB culture testing at CPHL is a major milestone for the country.
“The hands-on mentorship from QMRL has strengthened our confidence and technical skills, ensuring our team can deliver high-quality, reliable results for patients across the country. We are proud of how far we have come and remain committed to advancing PNG’s TB diagnostics,” she said.
Ends.
Jennifer Banamus explains sample processing.
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