Spotlight on the patient experience in TB Care within the healthcare system

As the world continues to grapple with tuberculosis (TB), a longstanding public health concern, there remains an urgent need to address the challenges within the National TB Programme.  

While there has been progress in increasing the number of individuals receiving care and returning to pre-COVID performance levels within the National TB Programme, there are still issues that need to be addressed. These include ensuring funding, enhancing accountability, and strengthening bi-directional decision-making.

One of our TB podcast speakers, Dr Waasila Jassat, who currently provides technical support to the National TB Programme and chairs the TB vaccines working group, notes that while the world came together to address the Covid-19 pandemic, the same level of urgency and collective action has been remarkably absent in the fight against TB. This despite the devastating impact of the pandemic on TB patients and healthcare systems in recent years.

“I think that while the world came together to address the Covid-19 pandemic, public hasn’t seen the same response to TB in recent years when the disease was really hit hard by the pandemic,” she states

Despite innovations and strategic implementation plans, the narrative of patient experiences within the health system remains largely untold. These stories are important for understanding the barriers patients face, from initial diagnosis through to treatment completion. Many patients face barriers that hinder their engagement with care, highlighting the need for a more patient-centered approach in TB programmes.

To address these pressing issues, the TB Accountability Consortium (TBAC) will host its national convening on 24-25 October 2024. This event will provide a platform for advocates, partners, and stakeholders to converge and focus on the patient journey within TB care. By prioritizing discussions around patient experiences, the convening aims to foster meaningful dialogue and drive improvements in programme outcomes.

Scheduled to take place at the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, the convening will feature sessions designed to enhance understanding and strategies related to patient-centred care. As the TBAC expands its efforts to strengthen tuberculosis programmes across South Africa, this gathering will illuminate the often-overlooked aspects of patient care and inspire actionable change in the fight against TB.