Community-Based TB Care: Experience from ... - CORE Group

Community Based TB care through former TB patients’ social clubsper centre. Prior to the talk, topics are prepared and during the talks Health workers assistformer TB patients in responding to questions raised from TB patients.Health care providers in Temeke Municipal are positively recommending MUKIKUTE and othersmall former TB patient’s clubs in TB control strategy. They also recommends some moremotivations to them especially some allowances, means of transport like bicycles for thosesupporting patients under home based DOT as well as financing their projects for theirsustainability. For instance, Kigamboni former TB patients’ club has established vegetablegarden as income generating activity for the club, but they need funds for buying bicycles forvegetable distribution.2.4 Benefits obtainedTemeke Tuberculosis Programme:Apart from community sensitization and training, the council work together with MUKIKUTE indefaulter tracing and active case finding. MUKIKUTE members bring TB suspects for sputumexamination and defaulters for treatment. The intensified case finding forms are available in TBclinics and MUKIKUTE office.• MUKIKUTE the first ever former TB patients’ organization in Tanzania• Retention of all 19 founder members to date in the organization (one died).• Good relationship with partners -LHL, PASADA, Temeke Municipal Council and ICAP• Good reputation- internationally, nationally and the community at large• The organization is able to generate income through hiring of motorcycle, 2 generators,modern music system and amplifier• MUKIKUTE members have been getting some allowances as TOTs in which some amounthave been paid to the organization.Individual benefits• Earned respect from health workers and community at large by being TOTs in CBDOT, andhome based HIV management• More knowledge and skills on TB and TB/HIV control• Some of members do attend international conferences outside the country• Members have acquired knowledge and skills in income generating activities includingmaking of tie and die clothes.2.5 General AchievementTemeke Municipal• The first district to establish former TB patients’ organization in Tanzania.• Increased case notification rate (average of 3% of cases per year)• Cure rates increased from 78% (2004) to 87.5% (2008)Note: This should be understood that former TB patients’ involvement in community TB carehas contributed to the above achievements align with other TB control activities in Temekemunicipal council.Experience from Temeke Page 11