Enhancing Program Quality Efficiency in the Fight Against TB in Kenya
In a bid to strengthen the fight against tuberculosis (TB) and enhance healthcare delivery, the National TB Program is undertaking experience-sharing forum. The event, under the banner of Program Quality Efficiency (PQE) in TB management, draws representatives from both implementing and non-implementing counties across the country.
According to Lilian Kerubo, PQE focal person at the National TB Program, the forum serves as a dynamic platform for counties to exchange their triumphs, setbacks, and insights in implementing PQE strategies, with a particular emphasis on Active Case Finding (ACF).
“Counties such as Nairobi,Homabay and Mombasa, among others which have demonstrated exemplary performance in ACF, have the opportunity to showcase their best practices,” she says. “Other counties like Siaya and Kirinyaga despite being non-implementing of the PQE initiative will engage to learn and adopt successful strategies”.
The meeting emphasizes the importance of sharing experiences and learning from success stories. Counties like Homabay, for instance, share insights on how they’ve integrated PQE into their healthcare systems to improve TB case detection and treatment outcomes. Their experiences highlight the effectiveness of integrated service delivery, community mobilization, and digital technologies in enhancing program quality and efficiency.
Identifying pitfalls and gains made in implementing PQE for ACF as well as limited resources, healthcare infrastructure gaps, and stigma surrounding TB are recognized as barriers to effective TB management. However, counties share innovative approaches to address these challenges, including leveraging partnerships, adopting digital solutions, and strengthening community involvement.
Through the vibrant exchange of knowledge and experiences, the forum epitomizes a collective dedication to enhancing TB management across counties and harnesses the power of collaboration, innovation, and shared learning to foster sustainable solutions that will drive positive health outcomes and propel the nationwide fight against TB forward.
TB being a burden in Kenya,there is still so much to be done with limited resources and health workforce. It all begins with good governance, proper planning and policy implementation, proper fund allocation and accountability, a healthy and motivated workforce, Structural factors,Availability and sustainability of Anti-TB drugs,Community sensitisation programs on TB,Active case findings in high risk areas;slum areas,prisons,refugee camps among others.