Annual Report TB CARE I - Kenya

The project's geographic coverage was national, with support provided to the TB Programme countrywide. The project's budget for the second year (APA 2) was $5,099,550. The project supported the Kenya National TB Programme by addressing eight technical areas, including universal access, laboratory support, infection control, TB/HIV collaborative activities, programmatic management of drug-resistant TB, health systems strengthening, monitoring and evaluation, and surveillance and drug supply management. Under universal access, the project increased the contribution of the private sector to national case notification from 7% in 2010 to 9% in 2011. The project also strengthened laboratory services, with a notable improvement in the quality of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) diagnostic services and an increase in EQA coverage from 28% to 86%. The project supported the acquisition of three Gene Xpert machines, which improved the turnaround time for MDR TB diagnosis in the Coast region. TB CARE I provided support for the programmatic management of drug-resistant TB, including the development of MDR TB patient support packages, contact tracing, and technical assistance for PMDT guidelines revision. The project also contributed to health systems strengthening, including support for ISO certification, sustained supportive supervision, and the development of an innovative ICT solution to improve program management. The project faced some challenges, including initial delays in implementation and high staff turnover. However, by the end of the implementation period, most activities had been implemented, and the project had achieved significant progress in addressing the country's TB burden. TB CARE I's efforts in Kenya were part of the global TB control efforts, with the country ranked 10th among the 22 high TB burden countries. The project's success was attributed to the strong partnership between KNCV, MSH, KAPTLD, and KANCO, as well as the support provided by USAID. The project's achievements included a notable improvement in the quality of TB services, increased EQA coverage, and improved treatment success rates for MDR TB patients. The project also contributed to the development of an innovative ICT solution to improve program management, which was the first of its kind to be implemented in Africa. The project's impact was significant, with a notable decrease in TB cases reported in 2011 compared to 2010. The project's success was also attributed to the strong leadership and commitment of the TB CARE I team, as well as the support provided by the Kenya National TB Programme. The project's achievements were recognized by the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2012, which highlighted Kenya's progress in addressing the country's TB burden. The project's success was also recognized by the TB CARE I partners, who acknowledged the strong partnership and collaboration that made the project a success. The project's legacy continued beyond the implementation period, with the innovative ICT solution developed during the project being adopted by other countries in Africa. The project's success also contributed to the development of a strong TB control program in Kenya, which continued to address the country's TB burden and improve the quality of TB services provided to patients.