TB treatment can be long and difficult. In PNG, peer counsellors are helping

When someone in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB), the journey to recovery can be long, isolating, and filled with uncertainty.

Having a trusted peer counsellor by their side from diagnosis until the end of treatment offers people with TB hope as well as medical guidance.

As a part of the Reducing the Impact of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (RID-TB) project, 22 patient education and counselling team members have now been certified as accredited counsellors through the PNG Counselling Association.

These peer counsellors, many of whom have lived experience with TB, play an essential role in providing social and psychological support that improves treatment adherence and outcomes.

The training equips them with skills to address mental health, grief, trauma, and conflict — all challenges patients may face during treatment.

Rebecca Emilius, lead peer counsellor in PNG's Western Province town of Kiunga, said the 10-day training deepened her understanding of what it means to support a patient. This included being present and actively listening to build relationships with patients.

“People build trust through counselling and our support,” Ms Emilius said.

TB is an airborne disease that primarily affects the lungs and can be difficult to treat when drug resistance is involved.

Patients may need to take antibiotics for 6-9 months, or up to 2 years for multi-drug-resistant TB, while managing side effects, stigma, and social isolation.

Burnet TB Specialist of Nursing and Counselling, Oretha Paye-Mehngonzeh currently leads the counselling team.

She said the new accreditation is already making a difference in communities.

“TB is a major public health issue in Western Province, where our RID-TB team operates,” Mrs Paye-Mehngonzeh said.

“Quality counselling ensures patients and their families feel empowered throughout their TB treatment journey and have support to overcome the many challenges involved in completing their full course of TB treatment.”

The RID-TB project develops plans and priority activities for a timely and effective response to TB.

RID TB is an Australian Government program implemented by the PNG-Australia Transition to Health (PATH) program. This certification was also co-funded by Burnet Institute and the Australia-PNG Law and Justice Program.