The Government of Nepal, National Tuberculosis Control Center developed a comprehensive National strategy plan (2010-2015). The New Strategy builds on the previous national strategy and outlines enhanced and more focused commitment for tackling the TB epidemic, consistent with new STOP TB strategy and Millennium Development Goals in line with the Stop TB Partnership targets. NTCC is committed to adopt and implement all six additional elements in order to reduce the burden of TB by 2015. The new strategy was developed with participation of key stakeholders, including development partners and TBCN.
Ensure access to quality treatment, diagnostics, ACSM, DR case management, Public Private Mix and TB-HIV care and support services for infected, affected and vulnerable groups in Nepal within the context of a comprehensive response to HIV and AIDS.
The ACSM intervention approach focusing on improving case detection and treatment adherence, combating stigma and discrimination, empowering people affected by TB and mobilizing political commitment and resources for TB.
These challenges will not be met without far greater prioritization and improvement in TB-related communication activities. In addressing each of these issues, there are strong organizational synergies with efforts to combat HIV/AIDS. To cope above mentioned situation, the following activities have been planned under the ACSM in National Tuberculosis Programme, Nepal.
ACSM Programme activities:
Policy and political commitment
NTP and Partners developed ACSM policy/guidelines in 2009. NTP and Partners will hold regular orientation for politicians including Parliamentarians, Members of National Planning Commission, decision makers, technical & donor agencies. On World TB Day, NTP will advocate to policy makers and community people.
Capacity development
NTP will develop the capacity of health care providers/volunteers working in Government, NGOs and CBOs in districts with low CDR through the following activities:
- Revitalizing Health Facility Management/DOTS Committee
- ACSM training for health care workers, school teachers, female community health volunteers (FCHVs), and NGO/CBO workers, etc.
- Mobilize cured TB patients (TB patient club) to motivate suspect TB patients to attend DOTS services and encourage and support TB patients and their families to complete treatment
- Train/orient health workers and peer educators (community volunteers) on effective communication with patients for improving interpersonal communication
- Orient local NGOs, CBOs, Civil Society members on TB, TB/HIV
- Conduct patients empowering activities to reduce discrimination and stigma
- Conduct meetings for peer education to teachers, students, self-help groups
- Conduct TB, TB/HIV orientation to civil society members, community leaders and HIV related Organizations
Community awareness
Community awareness activities will be targeted to vulnerable groups to increase case finding among: migrants; slum dwellers; factory workers; displaced persons; street children; HIV positive people; and other at risk groups. Planned activities include:
- Orientation in slum areas, factories, cross-border populations, migrants, displaced peoples groups, refugee camps, monasteries, homeless, etc.
- Orientation in school health programmes
- Orientation to transport workers
- Street drama
- Folk songs “Lok Dohari” “Teej songs”
- Newsletters.
Behavioral change communication (BCC)
BCC includes:
- Development of IEC materials
- Mass media activities: broadcasting TB related messages through radio, FM, TV, etc
- TB messages in newspapers (advertisements, letters to editor of national newspapers)
- Press conferences and/or workshops for journalists at central, regional and district level
- Celebration of World TB Day (24th March)