MIN/Sp/AU/CAMH3/6 TB Page 30 6: 6.1: Conclusions and Key Recommendations Conclusions Tuberculosis control in Africa has progressed during the last decade but the continent still lags behind on major TB Control targets. Financial resources, traditionally a bottleneck for NTPs till the 2000’s, is no longer a major factor as GFATM grants, GDF grants (for standard TB treatment), GLC support (for drug resistant TB), bilateral donors support and several Partnership mechanisms provide technical and financial assistance to cover most needs. In order to achieve Universal Access by 2010 and the MDG targets by 2015, much remains to be done, especially to: • • • Increase treatment success rate for smear positive TB cases: through implementation of initiatives to reduce preventable unfavourable treatment outcomes such as patient default, transfer out and HIV/AIDS related TB deaths Increase case detection rates: through development and strengthening of laboratory infrastructure, public private partnerships in the delivery of TB services and expanded institutional and community DOTS services. Detect, treat and prevent Drug resistant TB: through surveillance, development of culture and DST capability for first line anti-TB drugs, and programmatic management of drug resistant TB cases as part of routine NTP activities • Scale up TB/HIV collaborative activities: especially HIV testing among TB patients, Co-trimoxazole and other preventive therapy, and ART for eligible dually infected persons • Address Health Systems Components that affect TB Control (laboratory networks, personnel, surveillance, supply systems and monitoring and evaluation. 6.2: Key Recommendations 6.2.1 All countries to periodically review their TB Control performance with regard to the WHA, MDG and Abuja targets and develop strategies to accelerate their attainment; working in close collaboration with national and regional stakeholders and the International Community. 6.2.2 Member states to decentralize and strengthen TB laboratory services in the public and private sectors to improve case detection and ensure quality assured laboratory services in pursuit of Universal Access to such services.