Uganda TB CARE I Y2 Quarterly Report January - March 2012

The project is led by KNCV and is funded by the Global Fund. The project's overall work plan completion rate is 3% as of the end of the first quarter of 2012. The project has made significant progress in setting up its office in Uganda, with the KNCV Uganda office located at the National TB/Leprosy premises on Plot 2 Lourdel Road, Nakasero. The office is staffed by the Chief of Party, M&E Officer, Finance and Operations Officer, Deputy Chief of Party, one field technical officer, and the PMDT Consultant. The project has also introduced TB CARE I to key partners, including the National TB/Leprosy Programme (NTLP), USAID, Uganda Stop TB Partnership (USTP), and the Regional Centre for Quality of Health Care in Africa. The project has also made progress in the procurement process for the renovation of the MDR TB Ward in Mulago National Referral Hospital. The project has developed scopes of work for the renovation and shared them with stakeholders. However, the procurement process has been delayed due to the need to orient the new management of Mulago hospital and ensure buy-in. In terms of technical outcomes, the project has made progress in several areas. In Kampala, 8 out of 36 facilities have been covered by support supervision visits, compared to 18 out of 36 in 2011. The project has also made progress in the number of defaulters receiving monthly SMS for treatment adherence, with a draft scope of work for engaging the SMS media written during the quarter. The project has also made progress in the diagnosis and treatment of MDR TB patients. The National TB Reference Laboratory has continued to diagnose MDR TB patients, with a total of 267 patients diagnosed as of the end of the quarter. Measures are being prepared to start up treatment for these patients, with enrollment expected to begin in June 2012. In terms of TB/HIV coordination, the project has made progress in supporting the National TB/HIV coordination committee meetings. However, the activity is planned to start in the next quarter. The project has also made progress in the number of joint bi-annual supervision visits conducted, with 0 visits conducted in 2011 and 9 planned for 2012. The project has also made progress in health systems strengthening, with the development of a quarterly activity plan report. The report outlines the project's activities and deliverables for the quarter, including the conduct of quarterly supervisions by two zonal supervisors and monthly supervisions by six division supervisors. Overall, the project has made significant progress in setting up its office and introducing TB CARE I to key partners. However, the project still faces challenges in the procurement process for the renovation of the MDR TB Ward and in the diagnosis and treatment of MDR TB patients. The project is expected to make significant progress in the next quarter, with the enrollment of MDR TB patients on treatment expected to begin in June 2012.