The problem

Incorrect or missed diagnoses and uneven quality of care and support services in low- and middle-income countries have led to increasingly drug-resistant forms of TB, which are more costly and difficult to diagnose, treat and cure. In 2023, only 44% of the estimated 400,000 people with DR-TB were diagnosed and treated.

New oral medicines and shorter treatment regimens for DR-TB have made it easier and safer to successfully treat DR-TB. In recent years, WHO has issued recommendations for new oral regimens, including for children and pregnant women. But the new DR-TB drugs and regimens are taking too long to reach people in low- and middle-income countries.

Our response

Through this project, we aim to improve timely and equitable access to quality DR-TB medicines and care to improve treatment outcomes and reduce mortality among key and vulnerable populations.

Community-Driven Approaches for Transformative Change to Combat DR-TB (Combat DR-TB), led by Kenya Legal & Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN), will work with communities and civil society to raise awareness and drive demand for new DR-TB treatments and medicines. Community engagement is essential in the design of an effective response to ensure that advances in diagnosis and treatment are affordable, available, and delivered as part of a person-centered package of care and incorporated into national strategies and policies.

By strengthening policy frameworks and engaging communities, the project will improve treatment coverage, adherence, and cure rates, contributing to global efforts to combat DR-TB.

The project will be implemented in Kenya, Nigeria, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Zimbabwe.