12 April 2019, KAMPALA (Uganda): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) today closed a Validation Workshop for the Assessment of Cross Border Tuberculosis (TB) Services and Referral System in the IGAD Region in Kampala.
In 2018, IGAD Health and the USAID-funded Challenge TB (CTB) Project conducted assessments to gather information on the situation and services related to TB prevention and control at the IGAD countries border areas, and to understand the current inter-country TB presumptive and patient referral system.
The assessment collected data from 26 border areas Health facilities prioritized by IGAD for cross border activities and representing the IGAD member states of Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda. Within each country, the teams conducted health facility visits, interviews with stakeholders, and desk research to collect information.
This five-day workshop brought together the Heads of the National TB Programme (NTP), Experts on M&E and information system within the TB programme, and in-country national and district assessors who conducted the assessments.
During the workshop the Assessment Report of Health Services and Resources for Diagnosis and Management of Tuberculosis in Cross-border & Mobile Populations was validated, as well as the Report of IGAD Member States’ Inter-Country Referral System Assessment for Tuberculosis. Also, the participants provide input to the draft Minimum Package of TB Services for cross border and mobile populations and Inter-country TB referral/transfer notification system.
Speaking for the Director of the Health and Social Development Division, Fatuma Adan-Senior Regional program Coordinator encouraged the participants to “bear in mind the difficulties faced in the control of diseases among across national borders. “Please document and raise any challenges you learn in the pilot to IGAD for appropriate regional policy interventions to help build resilient health systems in the region”, she concluded.
IGAD, through the joint partnership with USAID and the USAID-funded Challenge TB (CTB) project managed by the KNCV Nairobi regional office, continues to increase its focus on improving the health of cross border/mobile population (CBMP) and strengthening inter country referral systems for Tuberculosis amongst its member states..
