On August 13–15 in Mombasa (Kenya), an interregional meeting was held dedicated to exchanging experiences on the implementation of the WHO Multisectoral Accountability Framework to End TB (MAF-TB).
The event, organized by TB Europe Coalition in partnership with World Health Organization (WHO) and The Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN) with financial support from Unitaid, brought together representatives of National TB Programs (NTPs), coordination mechanisms, and civil society from six countries of the EECA and African regions.
TThe meeting opened with the inspiring words from Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of the WHO Department for HIV, TB, Hepatitis and STIs, who emphasized the critical importance of initiating and further implementing the MAF-TB in countries as a key step towards ending TB.
During the three-day interregional meeting, participants from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Moldova, Nigeria, Tajikistan, and Ukraine reviewed the key steps for implementing the MAF-TB as outlined in the COMBAT DR-TB project and shared their existing experiences with one another.
The objective of the meeting was to strengthen the capacity of representatives of the target countries who are supporting the roll-out of the MAF-TB and coordinating its core steps at the national level. The event provided an opportunity for participants not only to explore and comprehensively discuss the key practical foundations of the MAF-TB with a view to further country-level implementation, but also to exchange successful practices and lessons learned with peers from other countries and regions. This process enabled participants to address barriers that had emerged or might arise during the implementation of the MAF-TB and to jointly develop effective solutions for advancing multisectoral TB responses at the country level.
Key topics discussed during the meeting included:
- The 10-step algorithm for MAF-TB implementation as outlined in WHO’s Operational Guidance on Adapting and Implementing the MAF-TB. As a result of in-depth discussions, country delegations reached agreement on all 10 steps and developed a procedure for approving the document at the national level to ensure systematic roll-out.
- Discussions on the country-relevant format of the MAF-TB Implementation Plan. Country delegations reached consolidated decisions on which national strategic document would incorporate the Implementation Plan and the process for its national-level approval.
- Sharing experiences and future plans regarding MAF-TB baseline assessment and integrating their recommendations into National Strategic Plans (NSPs). Delegations agreed on a common approach to conducting and applying the results of the baseline assessments planned within the COMBAT DR-TB project.
- Development of draft national MAF-TB indicator matrices for use in planning new NSPs and integrating them into various TB programs, relevant ministerial and departmental programs, and monitoring systems.
- Planning national high-level reviews with broad multisectoral participation, as well as other opportunities for multisectoral engagement. Draft agendas, formats, and preliminary participants lists for such reviews and meetings were designed with consideration of country contexts and the financial support opportunities provided under the COMBAT DR-TB project.
- Planning additional advocacy activities with potential contributions from Interregional Meeting participants to further strengthen multisectoral TB responses at the national level.
On the second day of the meeting, participants visited Bamburi Clinic — a private medical facility located on the premises of Bamburi Cement Plc (part of the Amsons Group and a leader in cement and concrete production in East Africa). As part of this field visit, representatives from the six COMBAT DR-TB project countries observed a successful example of corporate social responsibility and private sector engagement in TB elimination. The Bamburi Clinic serves both factory workers and the surrounding community, playing a crucial role in TB prevention and care as well as other socially significant diseases. Its TB services are delivered in close collaboration with the national TB program.
In conclusion, it is important to note that although the participating countries are at different stages of MAF-TB implementation, both the theoretical and practical components of the meeting proved valuable for all, whether in launching new processes or in strengthening and scaling existing ones.
A key outcome of the event was the development of consolidated decisions by country delegations regarding further practical steps for MAF-TB implementation. Thanks to the participation of NTP leaders and representatives, the decisions and next steps agreed at the meeting are fully aligned with the strategic and technical vision of the government mechanisms responsible for TB elimination.
We sincerely thank all participants for their active engagement, and extend special appreciation to Hanna Monica Dias (WHO) for her tremendous contribution to the organization and successful delivery of the meeting.
