Table 2 Programme components enabled during the decade 2001-2011

Surveillance system

Responsible for collection, analysis and interpretation of TB-related data, and timely dissemination to the stakeholders.

Laboratory network

600 laboratories; each covering the population of about 50,000. An External Quality Assurance (EQA) system is in place.

Drug management

Ensures uninterrupted supply of anti-TB drugs, MDT, and chemicals to all regions and provinces throughout the country. Also responsible for revision and updating of TB drug management and logistic system guidelines and their distribution to all provinces.

Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilization (ACSM)

ACSM section is implementing a 5-year ACSM strategy to empower people and involve communities into TB care. Celebrating world TB days, meetings with policy makers, appearances on radio and television, and meetings with print and electronic media are the main advocacy activities. Public broadcasting through radio and television programmes, installation of billboards and activities at school and mosque level are the main communication and social mobilization activities.

Health system trengthening

The NTP has adopted a strategy in line with the policy of the Ministry of Public Health. The programme is integrated with BPHS and has SOPs for adoption by the BPHS staff.

New Initiatives

Development of policies and strategies, and monitoring of the implementation of new interventions such as Public-Private Mixed DOTS, TB/HIV co-infection, Multi Drug Resistant TB, and TB care for vulnerable groups are main responsibilities of this section.

Stop TB partnership

Includes 3 institutional mechanisms: the Secretariat, the Coordinating Board, and the Partners’ Forum. The Secretariat provides support to the partnership in terms of administration, operational implementation, and strategic decisions. The Coordinating Board comprises representatives from the NTP, the WHO, donors, academia, business sector, religious leaders, BPHS partners as well as communities and ad-hoc members. The Partners’ Forum is the assembly of the Stop TB Partnership and consists of inclusive, consultative meetings of representatives of all partner departments and organizations.