Tuberculosis
Claiming a life every 15 seconds, tuberculosis (TB) is universally recognized as a global epidemic of emergency proportions. Although TB is curable, many people do not have access to diagnosis and treatment due to poverty, gender discrimination, and armed conflict. Despite targets set by the World Health Organization (WHO) and others to limit and eventually eradicate the disease and a significant increase in political, technical, and financial support, the number of cases of TB around the world is continuing to rise, supported by the HIV epidemic and a rise in drug resistant strains of the disease. To control TB and save lives it is necessary to improve the detection and treatment of the disease in a comprehensive and sustainable way.
In over 30 countries, MSH is working with international, national, and local partners to strengthen the capacity of health systems, national TB programs, and health managers to improve the lives of those affected by TB and prevent the spread of the disease by:
Expanding and strengthening TB care and treatment: MSH is committed to increasing political support for expanded DOTS programs and building human and institutional capacity to diagnose and treat tuberculosis. MSH has worked in more than15 countries to strengthen and expand quality DOTS programs.
Managing drug-resistant TB: MSH has far-reaching experience related to multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively resistant TB (XDR-TB) program management, implementation, and evaluation.
Integrating TB and HIV care and treatment: MSH is working with national TB and HIV programs to scale up TB/HIV activities.
Improving pharmaceutical management: MSH works with health care managers, pharmacists, and service providers to ensure that TB patients receive the full course of appropriate, high-quality drugs at the lowest possible cost and that patients take the medicines correctly.
Strengthening laboratory systems: MSH provides expertise to support the development of policies, procedures, and systems to support the expansion and sustainability of well-functioning laboratory services for the diagnosis and case management of TB, including HIV-associated and MDR-TB.
Strengthening health and management systems: MSH works with TB program managers and service providers to improve program planning, financial management, and the collection, use, and reporting of information about TB. MSH also provides assistance in surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, and operations research.
Improving TB infection control: MSH works with national TB programs to develop and implement standards, policies, and procedures for the prevention and control of the disease in facilities at the health facility and community level.
In over 30 countries, MSH is working with international, national, and local partners to strengthen the capacity of health systems, national TB programs, and health managers to improve the lives of those affected by TB and prevent the spread of the disease by:
Expanding and strengthening TB care and treatment: MSH is committed to increasing political support for expanded DOTS programs and building human and institutional capacity to diagnose and treat tuberculosis. MSH has worked in more than15 countries to strengthen and expand quality DOTS programs.
Managing drug-resistant TB: MSH has far-reaching experience related to multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively resistant TB (XDR-TB) program management, implementation, and evaluation.
Integrating TB and HIV care and treatment: MSH is working with national TB and HIV programs to scale up TB/HIV activities.
Improving pharmaceutical management: MSH works with health care managers, pharmacists, and service providers to ensure that TB patients receive the full course of appropriate, high-quality drugs at the lowest possible cost and that patients take the medicines correctly.
Strengthening laboratory systems: MSH provides expertise to support the development of policies, procedures, and systems to support the expansion and sustainability of well-functioning laboratory services for the diagnosis and case management of TB, including HIV-associated and MDR-TB.
Building human resources: MSH collaborates with decision-makers at all levels to address policy issues and strengthen human resource management systems so that TB services can be integrated into primary health cares.We build leadership and technical skills among health workers and managers, increasing motivation and staff retention.
Strengthening health and management systems: MSH works with TB program managers and service providers to improve program planning, financial management, and the collection, use, and reporting of information about TB. MSH also provides assistance in surveillance, monitoring and evaluation, and operations research.
Improving TB infection control: MSH works with national TB programs to develop and implement standards, policies, and procedures for the prevention and control of the disease in facilities at the health facility and community level.