PLAN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TB PROGRAM

 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

In the last three years, the Liberia United Methodist Development Services (LUMDS), as   SR 1 &2, has been involved with the TB Community Notification program, where testing remains an integral part. LUMDS has on the ground experience, working with actors at county levels including the National Leprosy and TB Control Program on TB testing using both the Microscopic and Gene X Pert Gadgets. These include experience in conducting community outreach and testing to drum up demands. Trained CHVs have periodically conducted awareness in targeted communities using appropriate messaging and information dissemination to encourage testing. Community members are aware of importance of early detection, availability of testing services, and awareness of symptoms that requires seeking early testing.

LUMDS has gained on hands knowledge of dealing with both Microscopic and GeneXpert Testing as a valuable asset to keep testing ongoing without interruption especially, under circumstances where Gene Xpert becomes incapacitated, either by distance, break down or out of cartridges. This mastery of navigating between the two testing processes in very complex heath terrains is an asset of LUMDS alone. The engagement with community actors, collection of sputum’s, and transportation of sputum to facilities are great successes LUMDS has to her credit over the last three years of implementing Community TB.

LUMDS is verse with initial screening techniques through CHVs and other staff including her Case Officers at all levels in screening individuals suspected of TB, watching out for symptoms like persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.

 LUMDS has effectively worked with testing facilities in all selected testing  facilities in the three counties both microscopic and GeneXpert to detect acid-fast bacilli (AFB), indicative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Microscope) or detecting DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and simultaneously checking for resistance to the antibiotic rifampicin (GeneXpert). 

LUMDS has also been keen on reporting of testing results from laboratories, whereby, she has gained valuable insight on collection of sputum; documentation of results, and ensuring quality data management of prospective TB cases. LUMDS has also been a strong advocate for regular training for healthcare workers involved in TB testing to maintain efficiency.