The purpose of this report is to provide monthly programmatic updates progress. The report will cover the following areas:
General program updates (focus on key activities)
Challenges and mitigation
Best practice
Introduction
The Ministry of Public Health (MOH) in collaboration with key stakeholders have put in enormous efforts to expand access and improve uptake of HIV/TB integrated testing services in the Grand North. These services are available and provided through Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT) technologies (DNA -PCR) and offered free of charge to the PLHIV community. Diagnostic services are still highly centralized and patients continue to rely on sample referral arrangements to access testing. For example in the entire grand north there are only 02 sites who offer molecular testing services on standard of care platforms. The remainder of sites rely on POC testing.
The recent, introduction of POC diagnostics greatly changed the testing space in the regions by enabling decentralized networks. Although POC technologies have the promise of same day testing, and same day return of result they experience numerous periods of stock outs. In addition to this, the device density per surface area remains high and patients still have to go through long travel distances and difficult terrain to benefit from the free testing services offered by the MoH. Access becomes difficult in the rainy season and patients in certain areas experience temporal cut-off from testing services. Combining innovative testing services like POC technologies, use of m/ehealth and connectivity solutions with system strengthening arrangements can dramatically improve access. At CRIHSS Foundation, we combine services with systems to transform the patient experience across different settings. Our approach consists of:
Developing a tailored performance management solution using our BPMCI model
Conducting a complete integrated network mapping exercise
Implement an adapted sample transport system for both samples and results
Monitor the TAT for optimal performance through CQI activities
Find attached a full report below.
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