TB Diagnosis and Treatment

In February 2003 PASADA Upendano was recognized as a TB Diagnostic and Treatment Centre.  PASADA is  committed to establishing  an Integrated   Community Based TB/HIV – AIDS programme through the extension of services to outreach sites (currently 12) in the catchment area. The TB service has trained numerous community volunteers and many PLWHA to assist the service, particularly in defaulter tracing (error on the original page) at community level. The service collaborates closely with other medical services, particularly the Home-Based Palliative Care Department.

• To make early TB  diagnosis and to start treatment in people who are HIV positive.
• To encourage all  TB patients in care to know their HIV status.
• To train the clinical and nursing staff of the dispensaries of the catchment area and the community volunteers  to recognize TB and to initiate  diagnosis  according to the National Guidelines.
• To set up TB diagnostic and  treatment  centres at the satellite dispensaries to be supervised by PASADA TB service staff.
• To cooperate with the Home-Based Care programme and their staff of community volunteers, together with former TB patients, to reach TB/HIV+ patients who are sick at home.
• To provide antiretroviral treatment (ART) to eligible  patients having both TB and HIV. 
• To enhance and facilitate community sensitisation on TB  and HIV and AIDS.
• Training of PLWHA who are infected with or have been cured of TB on how to go into the community, share their experiences, teach community members and combat fear of stigma associated with the disease.