Help Ethiopia Address Low TB (HEAL TB)

in
PrintPrintE-mail E-mail

Date of Operation: 2011 – 2016

Primary Implementing Partner: Management Sciences for Health

Other Implementing Partners: PATH, Alert, and the Kenya Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (KAPTLD)

Regions of Operation: Amhara and Oromia

Goal:

Assist local health offices in prevention and control of TB to reduce mortality and morbidity due to TB

Project Objectives:

  • Expand and enhance Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS)
  • Assist selected zones in reaching case detection of 70% and exceed treatment success rate of 85%
  • Assist local health offices in establishing a courier system to transport samples of suspected Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) TB cases to culture centers and deliver reports back to patients

Description:

The HEAL TB project works in at least ten zones of two populous agrarian regions that currently have low TB case detection. The project focuses on community-based TB care, especially through the expansion of the DOTS program and the existing Health Extension Program (HEP). HEAL TB’s expanded DOTS strategy adds referral linkages between different levels of service delivery, particularly public and private health facilities. In addition, the project helps to link diagnosed MDR-TB cases with treatment centers, partially by assisting the Government of Ethiopia in piloting and scaling up ambulatory treatments to bring services closer to the community.

HEAL TB collaborates with TB CARE I and PEPFAR partners to better address challenges of multi drug resistent (MDR) TB, TB/HIV co-infection and health system strengthening. The project is expected to help local health offices to implement activities supported by the Global Fund, resulting in a synergistic effort to prevent and control TB.

Expected Results:

  • Improve the quality and care of treatment
  • Build managerial and clinical capacity to administer TB programs
  • Strengthen laboratory services and systems
  • Increase client satisfaction by administering TB regimens correctly
  • Strengthen early diagnosis of MDR TB
  • Improve TB/HIV collaboration and planning
  • Expand DOTS coverage to improve case detection rate to a minimum of 70% and treatment success rate of 85% of detected cases
  • Make programs more functional through proper drug supply management, strengthened referral linkages, and engaging the private sector
  • Strengthen community awareness, involvement and referrals