Quarterly Report: July - September 2011

The program's overall work plan completion stands at 93%, with technical and administrative challenges being addressed. The main purpose of the program is to scale up community-based tuberculosis (TB) control activities, including DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course), TB infection control, and TB/HIV collaboration. Key findings from the quarter include the completion of action plans for community DOTS scale-up, TB infection control scale-up, and TB/HIV scale-up. These plans were developed through stakeholder meetings and workshops, with the assistance of KNCV international staff and consultants. The action plans aim to synergize efforts among all stakeholders to improve TB control in Botswana. Implementation details for the projects include training of laboratory technicians in smear microscopy and external quality assurance. A total of 78 laboratory technicians were trained, with 20 technicians successfully completing a competence assessment test. Additionally, the Botswana TB National Reference Laboratory has made progress towards SANAS accreditation, with a site assessment scheduled for October 2011. The geographic focus of the program is Botswana, with a specific emphasis on scaling up community-based TB control activities in the country. The timeframes for the program are quarterly, with the first quarter of 2011 being the reporting period. Recommendations for the next quarter include addressing technical and administrative challenges, completing the validation of MGIT 960 first-line drug susceptibility testing, and beginning validation for second-line DST. The program has also made progress in reducing the proportion of new smear-positive DOTS treatment outcome cohorts classified as not evaluated. This was achieved through technical assistance provided by KNCV, which helped to develop a costed TB prevalence survey protocol. The protocol is now available and will be used in the Global Fund Round 11 proposal. In terms of TB/HIV collaboration, the program has made progress in establishing a synergistic action plan for TB/HIV scale-up in Botswana. The action plan aims to improve TB control among people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana. The program has also made progress in reducing the proportion of new smear-positive DOTS treatment outcome cohorts classified as not evaluated. Overall, the BNTP has made significant progress in the first quarter of 2011, with a focus on scaling up community-based TB control activities in Botswana. The program has addressed technical and administrative challenges, completed action plans, and made progress in reducing the proportion of new smear-positive DOTS treatment outcome cohorts classified as not evaluated.