Lessons Learned from the Design and Implementation of the Tuberculosis Free Nepal Initiative

Introduction: Nepal has a persistently high burden of tuberculosis. Despite implementation of multiple interventions by the National tuberculosis Program, Nepal is not on track to achieve many of WHO’s End tuberculosis Strategy targets. Method: The National tuberculosis Control Centre developed a...

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Main Authors: Prajowl Shrestha, Gokul Mishra, Mukti Nath Khanal, Naveen Prakash Shah, Deepak Dahal, Barsha Thapa, Lok Raj Joshi, Namita Ghimire, Tom Wingfield
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nepal Medical Association 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Nepal Medical Association
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Online Access:https://jnma.com.np/jnma/index.php/jnma/article/view/8988
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author Prajowl Shrestha
Gokul Mishra
Mukti Nath Khanal
Naveen Prakash Shah
Deepak Dahal
Barsha Thapa
Lok Raj Joshi
Namita Ghimire
Tom Wingfield
author_facet Prajowl Shrestha
Gokul Mishra
Mukti Nath Khanal
Naveen Prakash Shah
Deepak Dahal
Barsha Thapa
Lok Raj Joshi
Namita Ghimire
Tom Wingfield
author_sort Prajowl Shrestha
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Nepal has a persistently high burden of tuberculosis. Despite implementation of multiple interventions by the National tuberculosis Program, Nepal is not on track to achieve many of WHO’s End tuberculosis Strategy targets. Method: The National tuberculosis Control Centre developed a Google Sheet with key indicators to monitor the tuberculosis -Free Initiative across municipalities. Focal points recorded real-time data, ensuring transparency. National tuberculosis Control Centre compiled, analyzed, and interpreted the data to track progress, evaluate program outcomes, and support future planning. Results: The tuberculosis-Free Initiative achieved significant results in implementing municipalities. A total of 112 END TUBERCULOSIS Committees were formed at the municipal level, with over 1,000 ward-level committees engaged in tuberculosis microplanning. More than 56% of municipalities mobilized community-led monitoring groups, and 16 municipalities conducted annual social audits. tuberculosis-Free Volunteers facilitated screening in 53 municipalities. In 2023, innovative case-finding methods contributed significantly. The sputum courier system identified 1,790 Pulmonary bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis cases, 554 cases were diagnosed via screening camps and door-to-door visits, and 222 cases through Primary healthcare centre Outreach Clinics. Additionally, 23 patient support groups, 32 youth groups, and 32 civil society organizations were mobilized, strengthening community participation. These efforts highlight the tuberculosis-Free Initiative’s impact on enhancing case detection, community engagement, and tuberculosis control strategies. Conclusion: Developing local level ownership and accountability in the national tuberculosis response, ensuring high quality implementation through robust monitoring and evaluation, and generating and sustaining local resources, requires strong government leadership, advocacy, and capacity building. Within the implementing teams by the stakeholders, frequent initiative reviews, coaching, and mentoring support.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
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spelling doaj-art-3a47d3e2de334c64bc44e6c74e91fe4e2025-08-20T02:11:22ZengNepal Medical AssociationJournal of Nepal Medical Association0028-27151815-672X2025-04-0163285Lessons Learned from the Design and Implementation of the Tuberculosis Free Nepal InitiativePrajowl Shrestha0Gokul Mishra1Mukti Nath Khanal2Naveen Prakash Shah3Deepak Dahal4Barsha Thapa5Lok Raj Joshi6Namita Ghimire7Tom Wingfield 8National Tuberculosis Control Centre, Naya Thimi, Bhaktapur, NepalFreelancer- Nayathimi, Bhaktapur, NepalNational Tuberculosis Control Centre, Naya Thimi, Bhaktapur, NepalNational Tuberculosis Control Centre, Naya Thimi, Bhaktapur, NepalFreelancer- Kausaltar, Bhaktapur, NepalWorld Health Organization, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, NepalSave the Children International, NepalNepal Health Research Council, Ramshahpath, KathmanduDepartments of Clinical Sciences and International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place Liverpool L3 5QA UK; WHO Collaborating Centre in TB and Social Medicine, Karolinksa Institutet, Sweden, Norrbackagatan 4, 171 76; Tropical and Infectious Diseases Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, L7 8YE, UK Introduction: Nepal has a persistently high burden of tuberculosis. Despite implementation of multiple interventions by the National tuberculosis Program, Nepal is not on track to achieve many of WHO’s End tuberculosis Strategy targets. Method: The National tuberculosis Control Centre developed a Google Sheet with key indicators to monitor the tuberculosis -Free Initiative across municipalities. Focal points recorded real-time data, ensuring transparency. National tuberculosis Control Centre compiled, analyzed, and interpreted the data to track progress, evaluate program outcomes, and support future planning. Results: The tuberculosis-Free Initiative achieved significant results in implementing municipalities. A total of 112 END TUBERCULOSIS Committees were formed at the municipal level, with over 1,000 ward-level committees engaged in tuberculosis microplanning. More than 56% of municipalities mobilized community-led monitoring groups, and 16 municipalities conducted annual social audits. tuberculosis-Free Volunteers facilitated screening in 53 municipalities. In 2023, innovative case-finding methods contributed significantly. The sputum courier system identified 1,790 Pulmonary bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis cases, 554 cases were diagnosed via screening camps and door-to-door visits, and 222 cases through Primary healthcare centre Outreach Clinics. Additionally, 23 patient support groups, 32 youth groups, and 32 civil society organizations were mobilized, strengthening community participation. These efforts highlight the tuberculosis-Free Initiative’s impact on enhancing case detection, community engagement, and tuberculosis control strategies. Conclusion: Developing local level ownership and accountability in the national tuberculosis response, ensuring high quality implementation through robust monitoring and evaluation, and generating and sustaining local resources, requires strong government leadership, advocacy, and capacity building. Within the implementing teams by the stakeholders, frequent initiative reviews, coaching, and mentoring support. https://jnma.com.np/jnma/index.php/jnma/article/view/8988directly observed treatment short-courseend tuberculosismicroplanningtuberculosis freetuberculosis
spellingShingle Prajowl Shrestha
Gokul Mishra
Mukti Nath Khanal
Naveen Prakash Shah
Deepak Dahal
Barsha Thapa
Lok Raj Joshi
Namita Ghimire
Tom Wingfield
Lessons Learned from the Design and Implementation of the Tuberculosis Free Nepal Initiative
Journal of Nepal Medical Association
directly observed treatment short-course
end tuberculosis
microplanning
tuberculosis free
tuberculosis
title Lessons Learned from the Design and Implementation of the Tuberculosis Free Nepal Initiative
title_full Lessons Learned from the Design and Implementation of the Tuberculosis Free Nepal Initiative
title_fullStr Lessons Learned from the Design and Implementation of the Tuberculosis Free Nepal Initiative
title_full_unstemmed Lessons Learned from the Design and Implementation of the Tuberculosis Free Nepal Initiative
title_short Lessons Learned from the Design and Implementation of the Tuberculosis Free Nepal Initiative
title_sort lessons learned from the design and implementation of the tuberculosis free nepal initiative
topic directly observed treatment short-course
end tuberculosis
microplanning
tuberculosis free
tuberculosis
url https://jnma.com.np/jnma/index.php/jnma/article/view/8988
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