Quarterly Report: Nigeria Year 1, October 2010 - March 2011

The report covers the activities and achievements of the project during the first quarter of 2011. TB CARE I organized several meetings to introduce the approved work plan to all National TB and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP) Focal Persons and to discuss the Recording and Reporting requirements of TB CARE I. The project also participated in the IUATLD Conference in Abuja, where KNCV consultants gave presentations on writing scientific papers, programme M&E, and TB in hard-to-reach populations. The project supported the NTBLCP in various activities, including the National Planning Cell Meeting, USAID DQA Visit to Calabar and Kano, and the National TB/HIV Working Group Meeting. TB CARE I Nigeria has been selected as a participant in the CORE project Capacity Building of CSOs, and the CBOs to be involved are currently being selected. The report highlights the progress made in the technical areas, including Universal and Early Access, Laboratories, and Health Systems Strengthening. The project achieved a 78% treatment success rate in the focus states, and the number of new smear-positive cases notified increased by 17% compared to the previous year. The project also made progress in improving access to diagnosis, with the number of AFB microscopy labs increasing from 1026 to 1152. The quality assurance system for AFB microscopy labs improved, with 80% of labs performing with >95% concordance. The report highlights the challenges faced by the project, including the need for accelerated implementation of activities before October 1st, 2011. The project decided to implement part of the KNCV activities related to development of guidelines and training by the NTBLTC in Zaria, while other activities will be implemented together with the NTBLCP. The quarterly activity plan report outlines the activities planned for the third quarter of 2011, including support to the National PPM Steering Committee, State PPM Steering Committees, and HDL Meetings. The report also highlights the cumulative progress and deliverables up-to-date, including the maintenance of existing project staff, training of new staff of CBOs on project management, and support to monthly CTBC meetings at LGA level. The report concludes by highlighting the progress made by the project in the first quarter of 2011 and the challenges faced. The project is committed to achieving its targets and making a positive impact in the fight against TB in Nigeria. TB case notification increased by 17% compared to the previous year, with 44,683 new smear-positive cases notified. The number of TB suspects referred by community volunteers in selected LGAs increased by 38%, with 6,140 new cases detected through referral by community volunteers in the selected LGAs. The project achieved a 78% treatment success rate in the focus states, and the number of new smear-positive cases who were successfully treated increased by 4% compared to the previous year. The quality assurance system for AFB microscopy labs improved, with 80% of labs performing with >95% concordance. The project made progress in improving access to diagnosis, with the number of AFB microscopy labs increasing from 1026 to 1152. The number of labs performing culture increased from 1/51,666,666 to 1/30,400,000. The project also made progress in improving access to MDR diagnosis and treatment, with 15% of MDR suspects tested and 18% of confirmed MDR patients put on treatment. The project strengthened PMDT linkages, with 1200 MDR suspects referred. The project improved TB service delivery, with 303,130 TB suspects screened and 15% increase in TB case notification in the selected model clinics. The project also increased capacity on MOST for TB, with 100% of trained program managers developing an annual action plan. The project is committed to achieving its targets and making a positive impact in the fight against TB in Nigeria. The project will continue to work with the NTBLCP and other stakeholders to improve TB case notification, treatment success rate, and access to diagnosis and treatment.