TB Innovations and Health Systems Strengthening | Work plan Oct 2018–Sept 2019

The program aims to strengthen the health system in the Philippines to improve tuberculosis (TB) detection, care, and treatment. TB Innovations focuses on introducing state-of-the-art technologies and innovative approaches to address the challenges in TB control. The program's strategic directions for Year 2 include strengthening the National TB Program (NTP) through technical assistance, capacity building, and provision of equipment and supplies. TB Innovations will also support the implementation of the Philippine Strategic Tuberculosis Elimination Plan Phase 1 (PhilSTEP1) and contribute to the U.S. National Action Plan to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (NAP). The program will also focus on improving TB detection and diagnosis through the use of advanced technologies such as the Lateral Flow Urine Lipoarabinomannan Assay (LF-LAM) and the Line Probe Assay (LPA). TB Innovations will work closely with the Department of Health (DOH), the National TB Program (NTP), and other stakeholders to implement its activities. The program will also engage with the private sector through the Public-Private Mix (PPM) approach to increase access to TB services. TB Innovations will also support the development of a sustainability strategy to ensure the long-term impact of the program. The program's key health systems gaps and challenges for the National TB Program include inadequate laboratory capacity, insufficient diagnostic equipment, and limited access to TB treatment and care services. TB Innovations will address these gaps through the provision of technical assistance, capacity building, and provision of equipment and supplies. TB Innovations will also contribute to the implementation of the PhilSTEP1 and NAP through the provision of technical assistance, capacity building, and provision of equipment and supplies. The program will also support the development of a TB Integrated Demonstration Model to improve TB detection and diagnosis. The program's phased approach includes the following key activities: (1) strengthening the NTP through technical assistance and capacity building, (2) improving TB detection and diagnosis through the use of advanced technologies, (3) increasing access to TB treatment and care services through the PPM approach, and (4) developing a sustainability strategy to ensure the long-term impact of the program. TB Innovations will also engage with the private sector through the PPM approach to increase access to TB services. The program will also support the development of a TB Integrated Demonstration Model to improve TB detection and diagnosis. The program's sustainability strategy will focus on ensuring the long-term impact of the program through the development of a self-sustaining TB program. The program's results framework and project objectives include improving TB detection and diagnosis, increasing access to TB treatment and care services, and strengthening the NTP. TB Innovations will also contribute to the implementation of the PhilSTEP1 and NAP through the provision of technical assistance, capacity building, and provision of equipment and supplies. The program's geographic focus is the Philippines, with a specific focus on the National TB Program. The program's timeframes include the period from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019 (Year 2). TB Innovations will also contribute to the implementation of the PhilSTEP1 and NAP through the provision of technical assistance, capacity building, and provision of equipment and supplies.