Nairobi Slums TB Project was started to bring TB testing facilities closer to the people in the slums of Nairobi. The overall objective of the project is to enhance prevention and care of tuberculosis through intensified case finding in the communities, through community health workers.
Fight against AIDS and Tuberculosis
Fight against AIDS and Tuberculosis
Not-for-profit
Year launched: 2001Existing or expanding (post-pilot)
Target geography
Target Population
Target income level
- Bottom 20%
Health focus
- HIV/AIDS
- Tuberculosis
Summary
This scheme provides tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) testing and treatment follow up for the residents of Nairobi's slums.Program goals
An estimated 2.2 million of the 32 million people living in Kenya are currently infected with HIV and around 500 die each day due to the consequences of the disease. HIV makes people more vulnerable to the TB agent - most of those infected with the virus therefore, also suffer from TB. TB is curable with a combination of three to five antibiotics and the treatment takes about six to eight months. The project aims to: have on-site examination, diagnosis and treatment of TB and HIV/AIDS; provide support of patients through personal care, advice and nursing tips for relatives;increase the number and efficiency of both HIV and TB testing; and provide treatment of HIV-affected persons with modern, life-prolonging AIDS medicines
Key program components
Malteser International has been fighting against AIDS and TB in eight of Nairobi's slums, with a catchment area of 600,000 people. The set up of laboratories, training of local staff in the health centres, and the education of slum residents are all essential parts of the programme. In March 2004, the organisation handed over a modern cell-counter for the treatment of HIV to St. Marys Hospital in Nairobi. This specialised equipment is vital when making decisions concerning the antiretroviral medication treatment. For an effective treatment of AIDS, qualified and sufficient personnel are indispensable. Thus far, the programme has set up: - Treatment and sustainable medical care for TB patients following the Directly Observed Treatment Short Course (DOTS) Strategy - Employment of additional nurses in existing health centres who take care of the patients that no longer come to the health care centres by going to their homes. They also educate slum residents about prevention and treatment of diseases - Training of slum residents as health care helpers who promote people in the slums to be tested for HIV and TB.
Scale
Financials
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