By Zanele Dlamini 26 February, 2011
The country is faced with a number of economic, social and health challenges and setbacks, but there is a glimmer of hope especially in the area of health particularly the situation of tuberculosis in Swaziland.
A large number of people who test HIV positive, present with TB and in some cases MDR-TB.
Currently the country has nine confirmed cases of extremely drug-resistant TB.
The objective of the country and the National TB Control Programme (NTBCP) is to reach the Millennium Development Goal of drastically lowering the amount of people infected with TB by 2015.
Globally, Swaziland is the country where TB is the most prevalent among the people.
Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) has also been seen more often in patients and this requires aggressive advocacy and communication, as well as social mobilisation nationwide.
MDR-TB is a form of TB that does not respond to ordinary TB treatment. MDR-TB can be treated but needs special treatment for many months because germs develop resistance towards the ordinary TB medicines.
This form of TB spreads through the air; from someone who already has it if that person is coughing and has not received enough treatment to be non-infectious or even long period of exposure to air with MDR-TB germs in a poorly ventilated environment that does not allow enough air circulation to clean the air of the TB germs.
Highlighted
A high level team of expert Doctors and the TB Programme Manager highlighted the achievements that the programme has attained with regards to the current situation, universal access to diagnostic treatment and the funding of a new component on advocacy, communication and social mobilisation in the midst of challenges.
The National TB Control Programme succeeded in securing US$47 Million grant from Global Fund for rounds 8 and 10. The Round 10 grant was attempted with the advice and guidance from TB Reach leadership and motivation by the Minister for Health Benedict Xaba.
The proposal saw the light following a stressful process of development by the two dedicated TB doctors and the committed TB staff and stakeholders.
The Ministry of Health is very proud of such a stride in the midst of stringent screening by the Global Fund recently.
Currently the TB situation in the country is unprecedented but now that the Ministry is in the process of implementing a decentralisation approach to outreach programme implementation to educate the public even in rural areas about TB, how it is contracted, managing the treatment and protecting your family from infection as it is an airborne disease.
The National TB Control Programme Manager has reported that there is a one year supply of first line TB treatment and a buffer stock available for 3-4 months before it can run dry.
This means there is a contingency plan for TB treatment. That second line TB treatment for MDR and XDR is available for 8-12 months.
The programme await the signing of the Global Fund technical agreement with the Ministry of Finance and next month there will be a two-day mission that will clear the issue of drug management in Swaziland.
Since inception the TB programme has moved from 17 sites to 49 sites and the programme hopes to reach the set target of 67 sites before the end of 2011. The private sector clinics have also played a very critical role in complementing the Ministry of Health efforts towards reducing the number of TB patients in the country. The Government through the National TB Control Programme supplies these private clinics with drugs and in turn the private doctors do not charge patients instead the Ministry of Health covers the cost of these TB drugs.
The private sector doctors have now established a referral point for all private clinics on TB treatment and they follow WHO set guidelines and standards.
This is commendable and the spirit of public-private partnership (PPP) is now reality within the health sector. TB screening will now be included in male circumcision counseling, and Anti-retroviral therapy will be the entry point for high risk TB cases.
The National TB Control Programme is now using the GIS technology system to map TB patients nationwide with the assistance of adherence officers.
This system traces the geographical location of the patient right to his or her door step. The monitoring system will help with follow up on patients, improve adherence and reduce defaulter rates.
The good news from the programme is that the defaulter rate is going down from 33% in 2003 to 8% currently and the target is zero defaulters from registered TB cases, although the challenge still remains with late presentation of some patients.
This IT system is supported by URC department from the United States partnership.
Realised
The Ministry of Health has realised a 10% increase from 9 566 to 1 1032 detectable TB cases and the National TB Control Programme has realised the set WHO target of 70%.
As the targets increase implementation efforts shall be heightened too. There is a 12% mortality rate of registered TB cases in Swaziland.
The Global Fund Round 10 grant for TB addressed the declaration of TB as an emergency following an announcement at the World Health Assembly (WHA) last year.
The other objectives of the grant include:
Strengthening basic directly observed treatment on short-course (DOTS).
Scaling up of TB activities
Support to Multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) and Extreme-drug resistant (XDR-TB) services
Advocacy communication and social mobilisation
The NTCP shall embark on an aggressive mass media and campaign to integrated efforts in the fight against TB in the country and the assistance of Government, Global Fund and other partners shall is highly appreciated by the Ministry.
TB and HIV trainings will continue unabated with an updated curriculum, infection control, TB treatment, support to communities, strengthening the isolation of clinics and the provision of food packages for TB patients.
The Ministry of Health’s priority is the official declaration of TB as an emergency as it has reached an epidemic stage and MDR and XDR-TB infections are growing and this means business unusual by all means.
Patients will now have to be diagnosed immediately and that there needs to be space in all hospitals for TB patients. Let us all see the miracle for Swaziland!
http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=21664
The country is faced with a number of economic, social and health challenges and setbacks, but there is a glimmer of hope especially in the area of health particularly the situation of tuberculosis in Swaziland.
A large number of people who test HIV positive, present with TB and in some cases MDR-TB.
Currently the country has nine confirmed cases of extremely drug-resistant TB.
The objective of the country and the National TB Control Programme (NTBCP) is to reach the Millennium Development Goal of drastically lowering the amount of people infected with TB by 2015.
Globally, Swaziland is the country where TB is the most prevalent among the people.
Multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) has also been seen more often in patients and this requires aggressive advocacy and communication, as well as social mobilisation nationwide.
MDR-TB is a form of TB that does not respond to ordinary TB treatment. MDR-TB can be treated but needs special treatment for many months because germs develop resistance towards the ordinary TB medicines.
This form of TB spreads through the air; from someone who already has it if that person is coughing and has not received enough treatment to be non-infectious or even long period of exposure to air with MDR-TB germs in a poorly ventilated environment that does not allow enough air circulation to clean the air of the TB germs.
Highlighted
A high level team of expert Doctors and the TB Programme Manager highlighted the achievements that the programme has attained with regards to the current situation, universal access to diagnostic treatment and the funding of a new component on advocacy, communication and social mobilisation in the midst of challenges.
The National TB Control Programme succeeded in securing US$47 Million grant from Global Fund for rounds 8 and 10. The Round 10 grant was attempted with the advice and guidance from TB Reach leadership and motivation by the Minister for Health Benedict Xaba.
The proposal saw the light following a stressful process of development by the two dedicated TB doctors and the committed TB staff and stakeholders.
The Ministry of Health is very proud of such a stride in the midst of stringent screening by the Global Fund recently.
Currently the TB situation in the country is unprecedented but now that the Ministry is in the process of implementing a decentralisation approach to outreach programme implementation to educate the public even in rural areas about TB, how it is contracted, managing the treatment and protecting your family from infection as it is an airborne disease.
The National TB Control Programme Manager has reported that there is a one year supply of first line TB treatment and a buffer stock available for 3-4 months before it can run dry.
This means there is a contingency plan for TB treatment. That second line TB treatment for MDR and XDR is available for 8-12 months.
The programme await the signing of the Global Fund technical agreement with the Ministry of Finance and next month there will be a two-day mission that will clear the issue of drug management in Swaziland.
Since inception the TB programme has moved from 17 sites to 49 sites and the programme hopes to reach the set target of 67 sites before the end of 2011. The private sector clinics have also played a very critical role in complementing the Ministry of Health efforts towards reducing the number of TB patients in the country. The Government through the National TB Control Programme supplies these private clinics with drugs and in turn the private doctors do not charge patients instead the Ministry of Health covers the cost of these TB drugs.
The private sector doctors have now established a referral point for all private clinics on TB treatment and they follow WHO set guidelines and standards.
This is commendable and the spirit of public-private partnership (PPP) is now reality within the health sector. TB screening will now be included in male circumcision counseling, and Anti-retroviral therapy will be the entry point for high risk TB cases.
The National TB Control Programme is now using the GIS technology system to map TB patients nationwide with the assistance of adherence officers.
This system traces the geographical location of the patient right to his or her door step. The monitoring system will help with follow up on patients, improve adherence and reduce defaulter rates.
The good news from the programme is that the defaulter rate is going down from 33% in 2003 to 8% currently and the target is zero defaulters from registered TB cases, although the challenge still remains with late presentation of some patients.
This IT system is supported by URC department from the United States partnership.
Realised
The Ministry of Health has realised a 10% increase from 9 566 to 1 1032 detectable TB cases and the National TB Control Programme has realised the set WHO target of 70%.
As the targets increase implementation efforts shall be heightened too. There is a 12% mortality rate of registered TB cases in Swaziland.
The Global Fund Round 10 grant for TB addressed the declaration of TB as an emergency following an announcement at the World Health Assembly (WHA) last year.
The other objectives of the grant include:
Strengthening basic directly observed treatment on short-course (DOTS).
Scaling up of TB activities
Support to Multi-drug resistant (MDR-TB) and Extreme-drug resistant (XDR-TB) services
Advocacy communication and social mobilisation
The NTCP shall embark on an aggressive mass media and campaign to integrated efforts in the fight against TB in the country and the assistance of Government, Global Fund and other partners shall is highly appreciated by the Ministry.
TB and HIV trainings will continue unabated with an updated curriculum, infection control, TB treatment, support to communities, strengthening the isolation of clinics and the provision of food packages for TB patients.
The Ministry of Health’s priority is the official declaration of TB as an emergency as it has reached an epidemic stage and MDR and XDR-TB infections are growing and this means business unusual by all means.
Patients will now have to be diagnosed immediately and that there needs to be space in all hospitals for TB patients. Let us all see the miracle for Swaziland!
http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=21664
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