3.0. Introduction & concept

This section introduces the concept of data consolidation, describes the process and steps to conduct a data consolidation, the data requirements, and the tools that should be used during this process.

Intended Audience

This section is created for national TB program (NTP) or technical partner staff (M&E, teams & epidemiologists) who support data collection, management, and analysis for evidence-based decision-making in high-TB-burden settings. The approach and tools can also be adapted for other health programs in a multi-sectoral setting.

Data consolidation is a process of summarizing large quantities of information, usually in the form of spreadsheets, into one tool that reflects all the data involved. For the PCF Approach to national strategic planning, data consolidation is a crucial step in developing evidence-based strategies.

In conventional national strategic planning, epidemiologic reviews are often used as the only source of evidence. The data consolidation process for PCF entails organizing data along the TB continuum of care utilizing existing epidemiological, health systems, and people data.

The data consolidation process provides a systematic approach for country-led, data-driven, and people-centered planning, prioritization, and decision-making. This is done by collecting, reviewing, and analyzing evidence with a people-centered perspective along the continuum of care. This process ensures that priority gaps and opportunities are identified and can be adequately addressed. By combining traditional epidemiological data with people data (community and patient perspectives), and health system data, we ensure a holistic and efficient basis for designing and providing high-quality services for TB prevention, diagnosis, and care that are accessible to all who need them.