Pact Madagascar and the Global Fund are leading the way to combat tuberculosis. The program focuses on key populations that are most at risk of contracting TB, including populations the country’s 30 largest penitentiaries, and populations in mining and extraction zones. Through partnership with government, national non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, the program’s goal is to improve the quality of testing and the prevention and treatment of TB, as well as to contribute to awareness raising, social mobilization, and the strengthening of the public healthcare system.
The project consists in maintaining and improving health care through prevention, and curing and rehabilitating TB affected patients. This is coupled with measures that involve active community participation so that it, in effect, becomes an extension of the health system. The program employs persons from the community, commonly known as "community agents", to provide services through proven and effective community activities packages.
The Project Objectives
1. Improve the quality of the directly observed treatment strategy (DOTS),
2. Combat the co-infection HIV-TB, Multi-Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis and Tuberculosis amongst high-risk groups,
3. Contribute to the strengthening of the healthcare system in Madagascar,
4. Increase the involvement of the community in tackling Tuberculosis by involving community agents.
Strategy and Interventions
Pact and another prime recipient ONN have been chosen to implement the project. Pact is working with five subs to ensure the effectiveness of implementation, and is in charge of the community based component of the project. 25,000 tuberculosis sufferers will directly benefit from the project each year. Also, the poorest families will be helped in handling the indirect costs related to the disease. The project is implemented throughout the 22 regions of Madagascar.
Pact partners with ECAR/CES, a local group that participates in improving the quality of care for TB-affected patients. The partner provides direct support services to patients, engages in awareness raising and community mobilization, and supports the monitoring and evaluation of the project at a community level. The partner works across 9 regions and with over 200 community agents.
