ETB Success Story, Eradicate TB Project

Since then, significant changes have occurred in the field of tuberculosis control, including the introduction of new treatment guidelines, advocacy and communication strategies, and patient's rights. Additionally, information on multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) has become essential for community-based volunteers. The USAID Eradicate TB project supported the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) to review and update the community-based TB Treatment Supporters training manual. This effort aimed to provide the latest knowledge and developments in TB control in Zambia, aligning with the End TB Strategy. The updated manual incorporates information on MDR TB, new treatment guidelines, advocacy and communication strategies, patient's rights, and basic information on MDR TB. The final draft of the manual was reviewed and updated by a multi-disciplinary team from the Ministry of Health/National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (NTP), Bwafwano, Zambia Tuberculosis and Leprosy Trust (ZATULET), the Eradicate TB project, and the Japanese Anti-TB Association (JATA). The revised manual serves as a standardized training tool for Community Based TB Treatment Supporters, who will support the Ministry of Health in intensified case finding and TB health education to improve TB case notification. Regular updating and standardization of training tools are crucial to provide quality treatment and care for TB programs in Zambia. The draft training manual, scrutinized by all participants, will be submitted to NTP for final approval before its rollout in early 2018. With the updated manual, community-based volunteers will be empowered with the latest information on TB control, enabling them to provide effective support to TB patients in communities. The updated TB Treatment Supporters training manual has been designed to address the evolving needs of TB control in Zambia. By providing community-based volunteers with the latest knowledge and developments in TB control, the manual aims to improve TB case notification and provide quality treatment and care for TB patients. The manual's alignment with the End TB Strategy and incorporation of new treatment guidelines, advocacy and communication strategies, and patient's rights make it a valuable resource for TB control efforts in Zambia.