CIDRZ Granted USAID Contract to implement Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TBLON) Project

Scoring Successes in Index Testing, the story of Charles Siisi
June 12, 2020
SAVE THE DATE
June 12, 2020

CIDRZ Granted USAID Contract to implement Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TBLON) Project

The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ), is excited to announce the USAID Tuberculosis Local Organization Network (TBLON) project, a 5-year activity funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to support the prevention, care, and treatment of TB in Zambia. TB has continued to be one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality in the country. Zambia is ranked among the thirty countries with the highest TB burden in the world by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Despite the high burden of TB, the TB cases reported continue to decline because of missed cases. Missed TB cases perpetuate community transmission which sustains the high burden.

According to WHO reports, Drug Resistant TB (DR-TB) is also on the rise. DR- TB occurs when bacteria become resistant to the drugs used to treat TB. DR- TB is spread the same way that drug-susceptible TB is spread.

The TBLON Project is aimed at:

Improving access to quality TB laboratory services

Finding people with TB through enhancing facility and community TB case finding

Improving partnership between public and private sectors in TB activities

Improving diagnosis and linkage to treatment for people with DR- TB

Improving treatment completion among people with DR-TB

Strengthening use of TB data for decision making

TBLON has been developed under the USAID’s new “Global Accelerator to End Tuberculosis” business model. The project is designed to increase investments from the public and private sectors to end the TB epidemic, and simultaneously build local self-reliance and accountability.  Local capital generated by this project will be used to fund TB research, nutritional support for drug resistant TB patients and retention of TB community health workers through supporting income generating activities.

TBLON activities will be implemented in Lusaka, Chilanga, Kafue and Chongwe districts in Lusaka province and Choma, Livingstone, Mazabuka, Monze and Chikankata districts in Southern province.

The Director of TB Programmes at CIDRZ, Dr.  Monde Muyoyeta, has been appointed as interim Chief of Party TBLON and TB clinical Care Specialist at CIDRZ, Dr. Mary Kagujje has been appointed as Deputy Chief of Party TBLON. The two (2) will work with a team that has vast experience in TB, data management, and resource mobilisation to optimise the impact and sustainability of the project.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
LinkedIn
Instagram