BACKGROUND

Mozambique– ranked in the bottom third of countries for health indicators – faces significant challenges in the health sector that impact TB diagnosis, treatment and outcomes. At the community level there is low awareness of TB symptoms, transmission, prevention and treatment.  There is also stigma associated with the disease and its common co-infection HIV. Despite some recent progress at the facility level, significant gaps remain in terms of access to quality diagnosis, treatment and care. The four target provinces - Nampula, Zambézia, Tet and Sofala- represent 56% of all new TB notifications in 2018 and the TB treatment coverage of those case was on at 59%.  This provides both a challenge in tackling such large numbers and gaps, but also an opportunity to allow the government to take lessons learned here and apply elsewhere in Mozambique. 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

TB Response addresses critical issues in TB service delivery at the community and facility levels.  It also includes a robust set of activities to better engage private sector partners in TB response. At the community level, activities are focused on increased community-based TB screening and care including training of community leaders in TB knowledge, treatment, support and patient rights and developing and conducting a comprehensive TB awareness campaign focused on improving knowledge and reducing stigma.  It will also mobilize families and friends for treatment adherence support and utilizes innovative digital platforms that connect TB patients with peers for support and provide health care workers with additional data management tools. All community activities take gender and social inclusion into account.  At the facility level the program will focus on building capacity by providing technical training to clinic workers, improving connectivity on digital platforms that allow improved diagnosis capabilities, and improving the sample and treatment delivery systems to ensure quicker and more accurate diagnosis.

EXPECTED RESULTS AND IMPACTS

TB Response will:

• Increase TB awareness to 70% of total population in target provinces.
• Provide TB education and screening to 1.5 million people.
•  Notify 97,960 new and relapse TB cases.
• Retain care for 90% of TB cases during project implementation.