Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing a marked increase in co-infection of TB and HIV & AIDS: in some countries up to 70 percent of TB patients are co-infected with HIV. In support of collaborative efforts to confront this dual epidemic, MSH is working with national TB and HIV programs to develop common policies and practices. To improve patient diagnosis, care, and treatment, as well as to prevent the spread of both diseases, MSH is facilitating joint national program assessments, strengthening laboratory systems to support diagnosis and patient monitoring for TB and HIV, and fostering coordination between the public and private sectors.
It is urgent that countries with high burden of HIV define policies and mechanisms, and secure funding to promote collaborative efforts between TB and HIV programs. This collaborative approach is the key to dramatically improving patient care, controlling these diseases, and minimizing the impact of this dual epidemic on patients, families, and communities. MSH works with both the national TB and national HIV programs to support the following activities:
It is urgent that countries with high burden of HIV define policies and mechanisms, and secure funding to promote collaborative efforts between TB and HIV programs. This collaborative approach is the key to dramatically improving patient care, controlling these diseases, and minimizing the impact of this dual epidemic on patients, families, and communities. MSH works with both the national TB and national HIV programs to support the following activities:
- Coordinating TB and HIV strategic and operational planning
- Integrating TB and HIV services into primary health care
- Strengthening laboratory services to support comprehensive TB and HIV diagnosis and care
- Adapting MSH tools and approaches to improve collaboration between TB and HIV programs
- Improving coordination between the public and private sectors to respond to the dual epidemic
- Conducting joint TB and HIV commodity assessments