Bangladesh Builds Momentum for Shorter, Safer DR-TB Treatment

Fast Track the Cure Implementing Partner, Nari Maitree, Joins PeerLINC Training to Support Implementation of #6MonthsMax Regimens in Bangladesh

The fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is making strides in Bangladesh, and Fast Track the Cure is proud to be part of this global movement for change. Through our campaign, we are working with partners and communities to accelerate access to shorter, safer, and more effective treatment regimens that save lives and restore livelihoods. 

In July 2025, the PeerLINC Knowledge Hub in Makati, Metro Manila, hosted a weeklong capacity-building program for Bangladesh’s National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) managers. This effort, aligned with the mission of Fast Track the Cure, equipped leaders with the tools and knowledge to speed up the rollout of six-month BPaLM/BPaL regimens, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as the standard of care. 

The training program in Manila was more than a technical exercise—it was about empowerment. Through lectures, interactive workshops, and clinic visits, Bangladeshi NTP managers explored how to integrate shorter regimens into their systems. They also addressed critical issues like gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), echoing Fast Track the Cure’s mission to ensure that access is equitable and that no one is left behind. 

Dr. Khaled Bin Yousef, Director of Programmes at Nari Maitree, one of Bangladesh’s leading non-governmental organizations working to address urban poverty and health, and an implementing partner of the Fast Track the Cure initiative attended the training and observed, “This training empowered us not just with knowledge, but with the practical tools, peer insights, and confidence needed to deliver DR-TB care more effectively. The case discussions were especially impactful, bringing to light the human side of treatment challenges–something textbooks can’t capture.” 

PeerLINC’s peer-to-peer approach mirrors Fast Track the Cure’s emphasis on community-led advocacy and solidarity. By learning directly from countries already implementing shorter regimens, Bangladeshi leaders are bridging the gap between global policy and local practice, creating momentum for real change. 

This is critical as Bangladesh carries one of the highest TB burdens globally. With the nationwide rollout of shorter regimens, thousands of people each year could receive care that restores wellbeing and economic productivity, reduces suffering, and saves lives.  

Through initiatives like Fast Track the Cure and PeerLINC, committed individuals turn global recommendations into real-world change.