Tuberculosis Control in the Torres Strait Region: What's Needed and Why? Report Following a Public Forum

Recently, there has been increasing focus and concern regarding transmission of tuberculosis (TB) in the Papua New Guinea (PNG)-Australia cross-border region. In particular, there is growing recognition that preventing the emergence and spread of drug resistant TB is of vital importance to both PNG and Australia. As a result, significant resources have and will be invested in addressing this issue. There exists an opportunity not only to achieve strong TB programs in the border region of PNG, but to show the way for the rest of PNG and the Pacific. However, at the same time, there are real threats to achieving effective programs. Unless these threats are addressed effectively, the net outcome of current and future programs is likely to be the rapid emergence and spread of drug resistant TB. This paper discusses the way forward for sustainable, long-term tuberculosis control in the region.