Bangladesh Fast Tracks Access to Six-Month DR-TB Treatment
National Rollout of Six-Month DR-TB Cures Underway
Bangladesh has taken a powerful step forward in the fight against drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). The country’s National Tuberculosis Program (NTP), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), has officially begun the national rollout of the six-month, all-oral BPaL/BPaLM regimen—a shorter, safer, and more effective treatment for DR-TB. Treating DR-TB with BPaL/M results in better treatment outcomes and improved treatment experiences for those receiving treatment, as well as saves health systems money.
This rollout follows the circulation of the updated National Guideline and Operational Manual for Tuberculosis, which includes clear instructions and algorithms for initiating and managing BPaL/BPaLM treatments nationwide. This means that health workers, program managers, and partners across the country are now being equipped to deliver the new six-month regimen at scale.
The integration of this approach into national policy represents a major milestone for TB care in Bangladesh. It demonstrates the country’s commitment to aligning with the World Health Organization’s recommended standard of care and ensuring that people living with DR-TB receive treatment that is not only more effective but also more humane—free from injections, fewer pills, and drastically shorter duration.
As part of this progress, the NTP has also developed an updated training curriculum for medical doctors, featuring detailed guidance on implementing the BPaL/BPaLM regimen. This ensures that frontline providers have the knowledge and tools they need to deliver quality care, support patients throughout treatment, and help achieve better outcomes.
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. Helping to equip leaders with the tools and knowledge to speed up this rollout
Bangladesh’s national DR-TB treatment algorithm now in use outlines a clear, patient-centered approach, differentiating use of BPaL and BPaLM depending on the resistance profile of the person receiving treatment and following up initial treatment with phenotypic culture and drug susceptibility testing (DST) to ensure the most effective care pathway.
This is more than a policy update—it’s a sign of progress. With the NTP leading implementation and community partners like Nari Maitree driving awareness and advocacy, Bangladesh is helping prove what’s possible when innovation meets commitment.
Every person with DR-TB deserves access to the best treatment available. With this rollout, Bangladesh is showing the world their commitment to #FastTracktheCure!
*Photos courtesy of Nari Maitree