The Ministry of
Health and Social Welfare TB Programme Manager
Dr. Llaang Maama said the reviews will further
prepare quarterly action plans to address the
gaps identified during supervision for example
low enrolment of Antiretroviral (ARVs) among
TB/HIV co-infected patients.
Participants at the meeting were drawn from
district health education, district TB
coordinators and TB officers, district clinical
mentors, PIH, ICAP, FIND, Laboratory services,
HIV/TB Coordinator and Global Fund Coordinating
Unit (GFCU).
Facilitators were National TB Programme Manager
Dr. Maama, TB/HIV Medical Officer Dr. Simon
Marealle and Deputy TB Manager Mrs. Nthabiseng
Ntlama.
During the meeting participants shared
experiences in the implementation of TB/HIV
collaboration (success and challenges) from all
the districts. Other presentations include
patient kit management presented by Pharmacist,
PIH support on MDR-TB, ICAP support for 2011/12
TB/HIV priorities as well as Global R6 TB and R8
TB implementation.
Addressing the participants during the meeting
Dr. Maama thanked all the partners that are
currently supporting the government to control
TB in the country. She appealed to all partners
to align their plans with that of the Ministry
of Health to avoid duplication of effort.
She called on district TB Coordinators to work
hand in hand with partners in implementation of
TB activities to meet the set targets, reminding
participants that each TB target represents a TB
patient.
Speaking about Advocacy Communication Social
Mobilisation (ACSM), Dr Maama said "knowledge is
power" saying that health educators carry big
responsibility of educating and mobilizing
community to control TB.
“If Health educators fail to do their job, the
whole programme fails,” said Dr. Maama.
She emphasized that even if you educate
community about all diseases, but you should
always remember that your original
responsibility is TB education. She appealed to
health educators to ensure that the entire
community is aware of TB symptoms, treatment and
adherence.
This quarterly meeting for TB programme is
traditionally supported by Global Fund R6 TB
grant. However due to delay of disbursement, the
meeting is now supported by The US based Center
for Disease Control (CDC) Cooperative agreement.
At the end of the three day TB review meeting,
the TB Coordinators and officers will attend the
Electronic TB Register (ETR) also funded by CDC
at the same venue. Meanwhile R8 TB grant will
also offer additional funding for electronic TB
Register activity. R8 TB commenced in October
2010.
