Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in Bangladesh. In every 2 minutes, one person becomes sick of TB resulting in 300,000 new all forms of TB cases every year. On the other hand, one person dies of TB in every 10 minutes, resulting in almost 70,000 deaths of TB annually. Taking into account the estimated number of cases, Bangladesh has been ranked 5th globally and 3rd in the South-East Asia region. Considering the seriousness of the situation, SMC has been conducting awareness-creating programmes among the targeted community throughout the country regarding control of the disease which includes identification, referral and follow up.
Programme Strategies:
- Raise awareness about TB and treatment-seeking behaviour through Mobile Audio-Visual Programme (both road and water-way).
- Capacity-building of the Private Health Providers to improve case detection and referral.
- Increase knowledge of drug sellers and pharmacists so that they can provide over-the-counter information on TB.
- Increase demand and use of available TB services.
- Collaborative activities with the National TB Control Programme (NTP) for service utilisation.
Major Programme Activities:
- Awareness-Raising Activities on TB: These include: mass media communication through TV channels; airing of 20-minute drama and 60 second TV commercial (TVC) on TB; 13-episode drama serial; communication through mobile video programme nationwide; local-level events; development of BCC materials, etc.
- Reaching the Unreachable - A Unique Initiative: In order to reach the people who live in remote riverside areas, a Floating IEC (FIEC) centre using a branded motor launch has been running in Barisal Division with the scale-up plan in other areas of the country. Till February 2011, a total of 92,027 people have been made aware about TB through 1,477 sessions conducted by the floating IEC Centre.
- Mobile Audio-Visual Programme (MAVP): In FY 2009 - 2010, a total of 2,831,810 people were made aware on TB through 2,093 sessions conducted by 10 MAVP teams around Bangladesh.
- Training of Blue Star Providers on TB: Special one day orientation courses on TB has been provided to the Blue Star Providers (BSP). A total of 2,856 BSPs have been trained on TB in FY 2009 and 2010. 13,749 suspected cases were referred to the service delivery points (October 2009 – February 2011) by the trained BSPs.
- Mobile Audio-Visual Programme (MAVP): In FY 2009 - 2010, a total of 2,831,810 people were made aware on TB through 2,093 sessions conducted by 10 MAVP teams around Bangladesh.
- Training of Blue Star Providers on TB: Special one day orientation courses on TB has been provided to the Blue Star Providers (BSP). A total of 2,856 BSPs have been trained on TB in FY 2009 and 2010. 13,749 suspected cases were referred to the service delivery points (October 2009 – February 2011) by the trained BSPs.
- Training of the Health Providers: Training module on TB for HPTP were developed and 6,101 Health Providers nation-wide were imparted trained on TB in FY 2009 and 2010.
- Collaborative Activities with NTP and TB CTA: NTP has provided orientation on TB to 618 Blue Star Providers of SMC. SMC also explored the possibility of using Blue Star Providers as DOTS provider.
- With NTP, NATAB and PPP Programme: Developed BCC materials to observe World TB Day including events for advocacy and community mobilisation.
- National Level Round Table Conference on TB
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