“Bedaquilline Is Used To Treat Ultra Resistant Tuberculosis"

Recent research results indicate that a new drug, Bedaquiline, has been proven to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis. Will it be introduced into the programme of Cameroon?

Bedaquilline is a new drug introduced recently for the treatment of severe forms of tuberculosis. This drug was so far used in Cameroon for the treatment of Ultra resistant tuberculosis (that means a severe form of tuberculosis characterised by a resistance to Rifampicin, Isoniazid, quinolone, and at least to one of the injectable drugs used in second line treatment). Concerning its introduction in Cameroon National Tuberculosis Programme, it will remain only for the treatment of Ultra resistant tuberculosis, instead of using it for the short regimen of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) which is the resistance of Rifampicin and Isoniazid) because of the risk of creating early Bedaquilline resistant in the short regimen of MDR-TB treatment. Consequently, if we have early Bedaquilline resistance in the MDR-TB treatment, we will face serious difficulties to treat our ultra resistant tuberculosis patients later.

What is the situation of Tuberculosis drug resistant in the country at the moment?

Tuberculosis drug resistant in Cameroon is considered as a public health problem because of its morbidity among our population. According to 2017 data, we recorded 176 multidrug resistant patients. Most of these patients are those with a past history of irregular tuberculosis treatment. That is those who failed or stopped to take their tuberculosis treatment effectively due to different reasons. However, the fight against tuberculosis is under control thanks to the efforts of the government and the support of the Global Fund project. In fact, the diagnosis of tuberculosis is available in all the 253 tuberculosis diagnostic and treatment centres in the country; and the treatment is totally free of charge supported by the government. According to the 2017 data, 24, 905 patients were diagnos...