Utilizing the People-Centred Framework, the Lesotho National Tuberculosis & Leprosy Programme is in the final stages of approving its’ new 5-year TB National Strategic Plan for 2023 – 2028. The draft TB National Strategic Plan, to be completed by the end of July 2023, forms part of the joint TB and HIV strategic plan for Lesotho.
This process has been a resounding success and a fantastic example of the use of the People-Centred Framework!
We are immensely grateful for all of the work undertaken by the Lesotho Ministry of Health and the National Tuberculosis & Leprosy Programme, as well as all of the stakeholders and consultants who supported and contributed to this process.
Taking this opportunity to look back at the process, we want to share our insights into the key factors that contributed to its’ success:
- The adoption of the WHO recommended People-Centred Framework approach
- The participation of key leaders and technical expertise to support the process
- The support from, and active engagement of, the stakeholders
The People-Centred Framework places ‘data driven decision making’ within the framework of a clearly defined process to identify, priorities, and address health challenges within TB National Strategic Plans. The People-Centred Framework approach is an evolution in the development of TB National Strategic Plans. Decisions are based firmly on the consolidation and analysis of the National TB Programme data, and data from other sources, to create a holistic overview of the country’s TB epidemiology. This data is used to identify, and address, gaps in the TB prevention and care program, rather than relying purely on individual insights or views.
Another core element of the People-Centred Framework is to look not just at the data from patients who have received treatment, but also to seek out and model the needs and perspectives of persons living with TB who:
- do not access the health system;
- seek care but are not diagnosed or notified; and/or
- are diagnosed as having a TB infection but are not successfully treated.
This analysis is used to create a risk profile for the general population based on vulnerability to TB and access to the health system.
This data driven approach also links directly into the Global Fund application process. By optimizing and costing interventions, and modeling their impacts, as part of the TB National Strategic Plan development process, the respective ministry of health is systematically generating the data required to support their Global Fund application.
The People-Centred Framework approach emphasizes the importance of, and relies on, local ownership, and the engagement, and active participation, of stakeholders in the National TB Strategic Plan development process.
As noted, these elements are reinforced through an evidence based approach, establishes a framework and process for the development of TB National Strategic Plans:
