Eradicate TB FY18 Q2 Narratives

This good performance was due to implementing interventions such as provider training and mentorship, procuring equipment, and providing presumptive TB registers and IEC materials to health facilities. The program also worked with private sector facilities, where 799 TB patients were seen, out of which 698 had documented HIV status and 101 did not. The total number of TB patients with documented HIV status during the reporting period was 3986, including 1550 known positives, 758 new positives, and 1978 negatives. The semi-annual target was 5250, resulting in 82% achievement towards the target. The program is on course to achieve the FY18 annual targets by the end of the year. The data collection process was rigorous, with well-trained personnel, standardized data collection tools, and a process for completing, collate, and validating data at each designated level. However, challenges were faced in reconciling data from four health facilities where HIV status of patients was missing in the TB registers. Isolated incidents of incomplete HIV status documentation were also reported. The program will follow up with these facilities to review patient cards and provide training through supportive supervision and mentorship to correct the situation. The USAID Esteban project continues to support screening of TB patients for HIV and ensuring that patients with both diseases are initiated on HIV treatment as per guidelines. The indicator tracks the number of TB cases with HIV positive status who started or continued ART during the reporting period. The program has supported health facilities with laboratory reagents, trained health workers, and provided equipment and supplies. Two staff members were stationed in each of the six provinces to work with health workers and improve results for TB and HIV. During the reporting period, 758 newly tested HIV positives were started on ART treatment, representing 100% of the total. The number of TB patients who started ART treatment was 772, including the 758 newly tested positives and 14 patients who were tested in the previous period but started treatment this period. There were also 1259 TB patients who continued ART from the 1550 known positives, representing 81% of known HIV positives continuing on ART.