'Yes! We can end TB!'

 

World TB Day 2023, with the theme 'Yes! We can end TB!',

The aim is to inspire hope and encourage high-level leadership, increased investments, faster uptake of new WHO recommendations, adoption of innovations, accelerated action, and multisectoral collaboration to combat the TB epidemic. This year is critical, with opportunities to raise visibility and political commitment at the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB.

The spotlight of World TB Day will be on urging countries to ramp up progress in the lead-up to the 2023 UN High-Level Meeting on TB. WHO will also issue a call to action with partners urging Member States to accelerate the rollout of the new WHO-recommended shorter all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant TB.

World TB Day is observed annually on March 24 to raise awareness about TB and efforts to end the global epidemic, marking the day in 1882 when the bacterium causing TB was discovered. The day serves as a reminder to governments, health organizations, and the general public of the devastating impact of TB and the urgent need to accelerate progress toward its elimination.

Working closely with the Ministry of Health in Tanzania, Sohicohe recognizes the importance of collaborative efforts to address the overlapping epidemics of TB and HIV. We commend the Ministry of Health for its efforts in developing National Policy Guidelines for Collaborative TB/HIV activities, which provides a framework for joint decision-making processes that take into account the strengths of various stakeholders.

We are pleased to see the progress made in TB/HIV case finding in 2021, with almost all new and relapse TB cases being tested for HIV status. While the co-infection rate was lower than the previous year, there is still room for improvement to reach the End TB plan targets. It is encouraging to note that a large majority of co-infected cases were initiated or continued on ART in both TB and CTCs within the three months reporting period after a two weeks tolerance period after starting TB treatment.

We are also glad to see that children under the age of 15 are being tested and counseled for HIV at TB clinics, with over 1,200 cases of co-infection reported in 2021. The provision of IPT to children under five years of age who are household contacts of bacteriologically confirmed TB cases is another positive step, with 75% of estimated eligible children receiving the treatment in 2021. However, the huge range among regions in the percentage of IPT provision highlights the need for more consistent implementation of community activities, including contact investigations.

Sohicohe remains committed to working with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to further strengthen collaborative efforts in addressing TB and HIV in Tanzania. We believe that by continuing to prioritize these efforts, we can make significant progress toward ending these epidemics in our country.

In addition to collaboration between the National TB and HIV/AIDS programs, it is also crucial to work with other stakeholders, such as research institutions like the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR), to address the TB/HIV epidemic in Tanzania. NIMR plays a key role in research to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TB and HIV/AIDS in the country.

 

Furthermore, efforts to address TB/HIV must also be tailored to specific regions and communities within Tanzania. In particular, the southern part of the country has a high burden of both TB and HIV/AIDS, and therefore, targeted interventions are needed to address the overlapping epidemics in this area. By working collaboratively with NIMR and focusing on specific regions, we can better understand the complex nature of the TB/HIV epidemic and develop more effective strategies to combat it.

 Approach 2023

One suitable approach for a community-based intervention would be participatory. This approach involves actively involving community members in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the intervention.

The participatory approach recognizes that community members are experts on their own experiences and have valuable knowledge about their needs and challenges. Involving them in the intervention process ensures that the intervention is relevant and responsive to the specific needs and context of the community.

This approach can involve various activities such as community meetings, focus groups, community surveys, and community-based research. Through these activities, community members can provide input on the design of the intervention, identify priority areas for action, and collaborate with program staff to develop and implement solutions.

A participatory approach can also help build trust and buy-in from the community, which can improve the sustainability and long-term impact of the intervention. Community members who are involved in the intervention process are more likely to feel invested in the success of the program and may be more motivated to sustain the changes made.

 

A participatory approach to community-based intervention is a collaborative and empowering way to address health challenges and promote positive health outcomes in a community.- Dr. Andrew L.