NGPU
June 26, 2024
Nakuru County’s Triumph in Community TB Interventions: A Successful Model for Public Health
Written by Ruth Magak
Nakuru County has been at the forefront of combating tuberculosis (TB) through community interventions supported by World Vision’s Global Fund TB Project since July 2021.
This three-year initiative has been not only aimed at reducing TB cases but has also set a benchmark for effective community health interventions.
Throughout the project, several key achievements have marked its success. One notable accomplishment is the flawless execution of outreach events in informal urban areas, achieving a 100% success rate.
These outreach efforts have significantly raised awareness and provided TB-related services to underrepresented communities.
Facility Quality Improvement meetings have also been a critical component of the project. With 366 meetings conducted, the project reached an impressive 95% of its target. This initiative has enhanced the quality of TB care provided at various health facilities across the county.
A major highlight of the project has been the screening of children under five years old for TB. Over 4,449 children were screened for free, a 147% achievement against the baseline targets.
This proactive approach to early detection and treatment has been instrumental in reducing the TB burden among the most vulnerable population.
The support also extended to health facilities including monthly assistance to 694 Linkage Assistants emphasizing direct patient interventions by visiting 7,941 bacteriologically confirmed TB patients for contact screening, surpassing the target by 101%.
This strategy ensured comprehensive follow-up and management of TB cases, reducing community transmission.
The project’s outreach extended to all 11 sub-counties, sensitizing 220 Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) to TB preventive therapy, achieving a 100% success rate. Educational institutions were also a focus, with 181 sensitization meetings conducted in schools, reaching the target with a 100% success rate.
In addition to community outreach, the project prioritized training TB champions among healthcare workers. Thirty-three TB champions and 256 clinicians/documentation officers were identified and trained, ensuring the sustainability of the progress made thus far.
During the close-out meeting, the County Director for Medical Services, Dr. Daniel Wainaina, emphasized the project’s success saying that the fight against TB through this project is evidence of a successful model for community health interventions, bringing the county closer to the ultimate goal of eliminating TB”.
This comprehensive approach and the achievements made in the collaboration and implementation of the Global Fund TB Project show the County’s potential for community-driven health initiatives to make a substantial impact in the fight against TB.
