Nurses from facilities across two high-burden regions of the Philippines attended training sessions on clinical management of MDR-TB as part of an ongoing nationwide effort to intensify TB case finding, diagnosis and treatment in the country.
Led by TREAT TB in partnership with the NTP, the courses included lectures on TB diagnosis, identification and management of side effects, and common errors in MDR-TB management.
Nurses provide essential services to people with MDR-TB, which include monitoring and administering treatment, identifying and addressing adverse effects of medicines, and conducting contact tracing. Their understanding of best practices and correct clinical management is essential to improving outcomes for individuals with TB. WHO ranks the Philippines as one of the 30 high-burden countries for both TB and MDR-TB. To address this high burden, the Philippines’ Department of Health is making a concerted effort to improve TB services in the country.
TREAT TB is supporting the Philippines NTP with implementation of the shortened treatment regimen for MDR-TB by providing technical assistance and capacity building in operational research and clinical management. The nurses training is part of this multi-year project.
In addition to the training programme, TREAT TB conducted a comprehensive assessment of the NTP’s systems and processes for MDR-TB which will be used to strengthen monitoring and evaluation.
TREAT TB is funded by USAID and implemented by The Union and Vital Strategies.