Quarterly Report: USAID South Africa TB CARE II Project, October – December 2014

The project aims to close gap areas and develop sustainable systems for TB and drug-resistant (DR) TB diagnosis, care, and treatment services. TB CARE II South Africa builds on the activities and approaches of the USAID TB Program South Africa, which supported the NDOH in improving early case detection, access to diagnostics, treatment support for patients, and HIV care for TB patients and ART treatment for all TB/HIV co-infected patients. The project focuses on high-priority districts with high TB burden and below-average performance indicators to achieve the targets set in the National TB and HIV Strategic Plan (2012-2016). TB CARE II South Africa works to improve TB service quality by pursuing high-quality DOTS expansion and enhancement, addressing TB/HIV, MDR, and the needs of vulnerable populations, and strengthening health system implementation to improve service delivery. Key objectives include increasing availability of TB services, improving management of TB among children, those co-infected with HIV, and those with MDR/Extensively Drug Resistant (XDR) TB. The project also strengthens the private sector's role in TB prevention and control efforts by engaging with private health practitioners, the mining sector, correctional services, and schools. TB CARE II South Africa supports interventions to increase demand for TB services by empowering people with TB and their communities through advocacy, communication, and social mobilization. The project also collaborates with different care providers and funds local community-based organizations and institutions to improve TB and DR TB case management. The project strengthens the monitoring and evaluation system by providing needs-based mentoring and support to improve data collection, documentation, and dissemination of TB and DR TB information. TB CARE II South Africa also provides training and support to provincial and district managers in using research tools to solve operational and programmatic challenges. This report details project activities and accomplishments for FY15 Quarter 1 (October – December 2014). The quarter focused on project start, development of technical strategies, initiation of project small grants, and effective transition from the USAID TB Program South Africa. TB CARE II South Africa has made significant progress in its first quarter. The project has established a strong team, developed a comprehensive work plan, and initiated project small grants to support high-priority districts. The project has also strengthened its partnerships with key stakeholders, including the NDOH, provincial and district health departments, and local community-based organizations. The project has achieved several key accomplishments, including the development of a comprehensive work plan, initiation of project small grants, and effective transition from the USAID TB Program South Africa. TB CARE II South Africa has also established a strong team and strengthened its partnerships with key stakeholders. TB CARE II South Africa will continue to work towards its objectives in the coming quarters. The project will focus on implementing its technical strategies, expanding DOTS coverage, and improving TB service quality. The project will also continue to strengthen its partnerships with key stakeholders and provide training and support to provincial and district managers. TB CARE II South Africa is committed to improving TB and DR TB diagnosis, care, and treatment services in South Africa. The project will continue to work towards its objectives and make significant progress in the coming quarters.