Target TB working in partnership with Lepra Bangladesh
Country/regional profile
Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries with a population of 147 million inhabiting around 130,000 km2. One third of the country is flooded every year. This affects the agriculture sector which provides employment for two thirds of the population.
45% of the population is living below the poverty level, increasing vulnerability to opportunistic diseases like TB. Bangladesh has the 5th highest incidence of TB in the world, with 60% of the adult population infected.
Target TB is carrying out TB control activities in Rajshahi division, north west Bangladesh. 3 rural districts are being targeted - Sirajgonj, Pabna and Natore – reaching a population of over 7.5 million people.
Large numbers of people attend the
sputum camp where they are able to
access TB diagnostic services,
as well as health education
Our work with Lepra Bangladesh
Target TB has been working in partnership with Lepra Bangladesh since 2003 to improve TB control in Bangladesh. Together we have managed to significantly increase TB case detection levels to ensure as many people as possible are put onto treatment. We hope to continue building on these achievements to reach even more people, who are otherwise isolated from health services, with access to TB testing and treatment.
Project Aims
- To prevent the spread of TB infection in Sirajgonj, Pabna and Natore districts, targeting the most vulnerable groups, mainly agricultural workers, women, children and migrant (transient) population in chars.
- To enable target groups and rural communities to protect themselves against TB infection and improve their health through intensive health education programmes.
- To strengthen the capacity of local government health services and community members in TB service delivery and case detection.
Project Activities
Sputum camps are being held in conjunction with government health staff to enable isolated communities to access TB testing services, as well as receive intensive health education on TB and associated issues. Sputum samples obtained from the sputum camps are analysed at government TB laboratories. Results are followed up by both project field staff and local government health workers to ensure people with active TB are put onto treatment as soon as possible.
The project also carries out training for health workers including government staff, private practitioners and community workers. This is strengthening both the National TB Programme in Bangladesh, as well as building local ownership about the TB epidemic.