Functions of STDC

The overall function of the STDC is to act as the technical arm of the STC. Acting as the technical arm, it directly is responsible for four major workstreams as motioned below:

SM&E: STDCs would be performing continuous and real-time monitoring of programme performance through all the digital and physical information systems and reporting sources. Based on the same it would provide feedback and collect reports based on actions taken from the districts. To understand on ground scenario and compare programme vision and achievements it will also need to conduct supervisory visits and evaluate the current performance of the programme against the aspirations. The findings of the SM&E activities along with the necessary actions to be taken are to be communicated to the respective districts through the State Tuberculosis Officer (STO).
Training: STDCs are expected to build the capacity of HRs in the programme, i.e., NTEP key personnel, general health system, medical college faculty and private health sector in relation to programme operations so that they are able to effectively deliver TB services and execute the roles expected from them.
TB Laboratory (IRL): It will facilitate laboratory trainings and manage the resources at IRLs which in-turn is responsible for providing TB laboratory services, conducting hands-on laboratory-based training and for monitoring quality of laboratory services in the state.
Technical Support: Technical support involves myriad activities, keeping in view TB epidemiology of state; prepare and evolve state-level TB elimination strategy and plan; generate evidence, prepare a need-based ACSM plan for all target groups and support them in the implementation of newer interventions.

STDCs need to optimally utilize virtual interaction platforms to deliver the above functions effectively (read guidance here).

The functions of STDCs are further elaborated under these four thematic areas.

RakeshPS Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:38

Monitoring, Supervision and evaluation by STDCs

Monitoring, review, supportive supervision and evaluation are important to ensure that the programme is implemented as planned against the stated objectives and desired results. These are intensive technical activities and core function of the STDCs.

The STDCs need to lead activities in this area and support STCs. Designated nodal personnel (Medical officers, Epidemiologist, Statistician, Ni-kshay Operator) should be made accountable for regularly accessing data available from Ni-kshay and other programme information sources. They should also be involved in analyzing the data and preparing analyses and programme performance updates and reports for presentations (PPT) during review meetings. Based on the ongoing monitoring, review and supervisory activities, STDCs should regularly provide action-based feedback to districts and seek timely action taken report from them.

Details of the processes and approach to be followed in monitoring, supervision and evaluation are available in the NTEP Supervision and Monitoring Strategy (Click here).

The role of STDCs in SM&E are described below.

Programme Monitoring

Programme monitoring means collecting, compiling and analyzing data to determine progress of various activities under the defined thematic areas against the stated objectives at the district and sub-district level on real-time basis and periodically. Monitoring uses a set of core indicators and targets to provide timely and accurate information in order to review performance and inform progress and thus facilitating decision-making processes. This helps us to find timely solutions to the performance gaps- in each district. Programme monitoring is also of paramount importance for ongoing programme planning and implementation. Programme monitoring should be a routine function of STDCs.

The STDC need to access the Ni-kshay data and monitor the completeness, correctness and timeliness of data entry. They have to monitor the district wise performances on a day to day basis using the key indicators suggested by the NTEP. Further periodic Ni-kshay data analysis has to be undertaken for monitoring programme performance.

Whenever there is a significant under/over achievement or a remarkable variation of a particular outcome indicator, STDCs need to do a 'Root Cause Analysis' by looking at the input, process and output indicators related to it to find out the reason for the same. Using the Ni-kshay data, STDCs also should do the person, place and time analysis to gain insights to identify patterns and anomalies that may indicate reasons for poor or under achievement.

Based on the ongoing review, the STDC needs to

Prepare and communicate the feedback with action points to the districts, as and when they find an issue in consultation with STO. The feedback shall include the detailed observations on key indicators, their Root Cause Analysis in short and suggested solutions to overcome the same.
Obtain timely action taken reports and in-turn monitor the change in performance after the action.
Purposively select Districts/ TB units (TUs)/ health facilities to be visited during supportive supervision, and evaluation.
Identify priority performance themes and geographies (Districts/ TUs) to be reviewed during periodic review meetings.

Programme Reviews

Review meetings are conducted periodically aiming at identifying areas and actions for improving the programme performance. They are essential for quality improvement and sharing of best practices. STDCs need to support STC in the planning and conduct of monthly review meetings of the districts state in the following ways.

Planning and preparation for reviews is a crucial step that STDCs need to undertake in consultation with STCs. Thorough preparation and advance planning of agenda items (Programmatic themes and operational areas) needs to be done prior to the meeting based on inputs obtained from ongoing monitoring.

During the review meetings, STDCs should guide the discussions. such that they are based on objective criteria, and discussions progress in a consultative mode towards solutions. STDCs should ensure that the discussions are not limited only to outcomes, but also to inputs, processes and outputs. STDCs also should ensure that districts share their experiences, challenges, and best practices to facilitate cross-learning platform.

STDCs need to ensure that the review concludes with action-oriented feedback directed at specific responsible persons. All the feedback should be communicated to the responsible authorities within one week of the review meeting. All the emerging feedback from the review meeting should be consolidated as minutes meeting. STDCs also need to track the actions taken by all concerned based on the decisions made in the meeting/ feedback provided.

Supportive Supervision

Supervision is a systematic process for increasing efficiency of the health personnel by updating their knowledge, perfecting their skills, improving their attitudes towards their work and increasing their motivation. It is thus an extension of training.

Supervisory visits by STDCs should be a collaborative effort to identify problems and find solutions. The effort by the supervisory team, should be issue based and directed at provide ongoing support for solving problems and to overcome difficulties. Feedback provided during the visit should be constructive (with practical solutions) and not mere observations on performance. It should aim to build capacity of the health staff to implement the programme procedures correctly with high level of efficiency, to assess HR and training needs and to ensure data and service quality. At the end of the visit, the staff should be motivated and encouraged to effect solutions and bring improvements in programme performance.

Selection of districts: STDCs should conduct district wise supportive supervisory visits oriented towards the performance of the district as a whole, and in-turn evaluate performance and build the capacity/ competencies of the DTO and other NTEP staff and health functionaries. Selection of the district for supervision should be made based on the routine monitoring done by STDCs. Districts which require support need to be given preferences and shall be visited more frequently. However, selection should be done such that visits should cover all districts in the state at least once in a year.

Supervisory Team: A minimum of two members consisting of at least one medical officer from STDC/ RTPMC should visit the district for supportive supervision. And may be accompanied by STDC Director/ head of institution/ Senior Supervisory Staff from the state.

I. Conducting the visit in the district:

Key thrust programme operation areas for a supervisory visit should be purposively decided prior to the visit based on ongoing monitoring of the district performance. The institutions and corresponding staff to be visited may be decided based on the same. For example, if the reason for selection of a district is low treatment success rate from private sector, then high load private sector health facilities, current beneficiaries, their linked TU staff, and district PPM co-ordinator would be visited.

During the supervisory visit, data quality assessment in the selected focus areas should be done to assess correctness, completeness and timeliness. This would include verifying/ comparing data recorded in Ni-kshay (dates, categories, quantities) against the true/ actual value identified based on the context (recall/ records from beneficiary, hospital records etc.)

II. Visit Planning:

The Medical Officer (SM&E) of the STDC/ RTPMC should prepare in advance the monthly supervisory visit plan along with the focus areas for each district and include the same in Advanced Tour Program (ATP). A minimum of two districts should be visited by the STDC supervisory staff every month. For better efficiency, supportive supervisory visits could be clubbed with EQA visits by IRL. The monthly visit plan (ATP) should be submitted to the STDC Director before 25th day of the previous month. The STDC Director in-turn should communicate it to STO, the corresponding districts and the linked National Institute before the first official day of the month.

The supervisory visit should be made for at least for 3 days or more working days in each district. Based on the selected thrust area, institutions, staff and beneficiaries to be visited, the Medical Officer (SM&E) of the STDC may consult district to chalk out a suitable travel plan in advance. Based on the plan the Medical Officer (SM&E) needs to arrange suitable travel logistics with the approval of the STDC Director.

III. Output of a Supervisory visit:

At the end of the supervisory visit, feedback should be prepared and it should be specific action oriented along with supporting observations, with timelines. The observations and recommendations of supervisory visit should be discussed with the DTO and team and also for any administrative issues the districts/ State Health authorities may also be appraised. It should be submitted to the relevant authority(District TB officer, CMO, STO etc) who should take the action within 7 days of the end of the visit. STDCs should ensure that the each recommendation is an activity/task for the district/state to perform. STDCs should advocate to solve any issues requiring actions at the state level. STDCs should also monitor the actions taken against each feedback and close the feedback once the task is satisfactorily accomplished.

Internal Evaluation

Internal Evaluation forms an integral component of NTEP supervision and monitoring strategy. It acts as a tool to evaluate if good programme practices are adopted and quality services are provided to the community. These evaluations also offer an opportunity to look into all aspects of programme critically and swiftly. These activities help programme managers in understanding determinants of good as well as poor performance for replication of good practices in other districts and take appropriate measures for their improvement.

The STDCs should plan and lead the State Internal Evaluations. STDCs need to prepare a plan so as to cover all the districts in the state at least once in 3 years. Members of the team make plans and formats for evaluation should be based on the NTEP SM&E guidelines.

RakeshPS Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:41

Training

One of the core responsibilities of STDCs is to ensure that the health system is trained in delivering TB services and managing the programme effectively. In order to ensure adequate skill set for delivering high quality TB care on a continual basis, the staff may require to be trained in-depth at the time of induction into the system and provided with updates as and when necessary. A proportion of them may also need to be re-trained either periodically or based on their performance gaps/ competencies.

The STDC needs to directly execute training activities at the state level and also coordinate the execution of all the trainings of staff and trainers at the level of district and below. They may deliver training for the following purposes as mentioned below.

Induction training: All the freshly recruited staff in the health system and deputed/ transferred into NTEP will require induction training in NTEP. Different categories of NTEP and General Health System staff have to be trained as per the relevant course curriculum (Modules/ hands-on training/ other guidelines) prescribed by NTEP for the respective cadre.
Update training: This training should be provided as and when there is a change in programme guidelines or new operational processes are being introduced. For this purpose it is preferrable that all such newer initiatives may be compiled as fresh modules for the respective cadre and later integrated into the existing course at national level when they are revised.
Refresher training: It is offered to the already trained officials either on their request or the official was trained long back and the supervisor or the official feels the need of training. Duration of this training will be similar to induction training or may be of shorter duration as per the need. Those who were already trained but were outside the programme for a significant period of time may also need to get a refresher training. (Periodically once in 3 years)
Re-training: It is similar to Induction training for all the officials when a large sweeping change are adopted in the programme and the entire operational aspect is thoroughly changed or if an official needs to be retrained as per the assessment of the supervisor/ supervisory team.

The STDCs are required to train the trainers for all cadres in NTEP and facilitate and monitor cascade training for other staff at all levels of the health system in the state.

ManuMathew Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:40

Planning Training

Each year the STDC has to prepare the comprehensive annual training plan/calendar for the STDC and support the districts in preparation of their training plan and its inclusion in the PIP of the state. The training plan should be able to clearly state the number of batches of NTEP/ TB related training (with details of expected participants, facilitators, modalities used, start and end date, training locations/ venue, etc.) that will have to be executed in the state for all types of trainees including public, private, volunteers, medical college faculties, community and civil society members. This would include training at all levels including training of trainers and training at state/ district/ sub-district levels. Following are the activities to be done to prepare the annual training plan.

Maintain the HR and training database

The STDC has to maintain the database of all staff (including General Health System and Private sector) to be trained, cadre-wise pool of trainers and details of available training infrastructure at various levels in the state. The training database should contain details of:

Sanctioned staff of different categories at various levels in the state and the current status (personnel posted in the respective position, regular/ contractual).
Individuals posted at various positions including, personal profile, location of posting , their training log/history, competency feedback given by supervisors, and finally their training requirement based on position/ designations (such as pending training - induction/ re-training/ update, trained).
Facilitators including log of Training of Trainers (TOTs) attended, details of the cadres that they are qualified to train, log of training feedback given by the participants.
Infrastructure(venue/ location/ training halls) with equipment available.

The training database should be updated in real time. It is to be developed as an online tool and integrated with the Training MIS of the NHM (TMIS). Till such time a limited version of the database may be maintained as data in spreadsheets. (click here for sample format. Refer to annexure on instructions on filling this format).

Conduct a training need analysis: Using the regularly updated training database the STDCs should be able to undertake an assessment of the different types and quantity of training that they need to conduct in the coming year to ensure that the staff at different levels within the programme and of the Health System of the state are able to perform the duties/ roles expected of them. The assessment would also need to consider the priorities of training along with the time, resources and facilitators available to execute/ implement the training. Purpose/ aim of the needs assessment will be to estimate the NTEP related training load in terms of the number of personnel in various cadres to be trained in the different geographies of the state.

Build trainer resource pool: Based on the needs assessment and the gap in trainer requirements against the training load, the STDC needs to conduct relevant Training of Trainers (TOTs) for each cadre of staff. Trainers may be identified from a variety of sources including NTEP Staff, Medical Colleges, and National Institutes. TOTs can only be conducted by qualified Master Trainers for each cadre in the state.

Prepare the annual training plan: Using the database and based on the training need assessment, the STDC has to prepare its own annual training plan for induction/update/re-training and also support preparation of training plans including training calendar in the respective districts.

Prepare the Training Calendar: Based on the available capacity and priorities of the state, the STDC needs to prepare a training calendar. The Training calendar will list down the various trainings planned at all different levels based in a calendar/ Gantt chart format. The standard duration of each training needs to follow the NTEP's training guidelines for each type (induction/ retraining/update etc.). The facilitators for each batch of training, the dates and locations where in-person training/ demonstration/ evaluations would be conducted for each batch should be identified.

Update the Training Section of the PIP: Based on the training calendar prepared, the STDC should estimate the required resources (trainers, infrastructure, material, funds etc) on the basis of relevant NTEP norms(click here), keeping in view that the existing capacity at different levels. The STDC has to ensure that the funds required for the training are included in the PIP at the respective level. The STDC should also prepare relevant justifications for the conduct of the same and advocate for its approval. Based on the approved PIP, the STDC may try to fill the resource gaps through appropriate additional resources and ensure essential training is prioritized.

RakeshPS Mon, 25/07/2022 - 11:05

Training Execution

The STDC has to ensure that quality training is imparted to various cadres at different levels as per the Training calendar and the relevant CTD guidelines. the training material should include cadre-wise courses published by the CTD and should be shared with all the participants and other logistics. Some of the training material, especially for the peripheral field staff and community volunteers may be translated/back translated to local language and the STDC should develop the training material in local language.

Training of program managers [DTO, Medical Officer TB Control (MOTC), training of core NTEP staff [Senior Treatment Supervisor (STS), Senior Tuberculosis Laboratory Supervisor (STLS), District Programme Coordinator (DPC), Laboratory Technician (LTs) etc.], and training of all trainers in the state will be directly executed by the STDC. The STDC has to undertake the following steps with respect to the trainings directly conducted by it:-

Reserve corresponding training venue/ infrastructure.
Ensure enrollment of corresponding trainees in individual batches
Inform and confirm the availability of facilitators

Training of staff like Microscopy-LTs , staff of general health system, private sector staff and health volunteers would be executed/ implemented at the district/ sub-district level under the overall supervision of the DTO. For the training conducted at the district/ sub-district level, the STDC should support in all aspects for conducting the trainings.

Some specialized training (e.g. training of Microbiologists and Sr.LT of IRL & CDST labs), and training of the state level program managers and Trainers would be conducted by the National Institutes. For this purpose the STDC should request linked National Institute to conduct TOT, training of state-level programme managers/ STDC staff as needed. STDCs may also facilitate nomination of trainers to be trained in upcoming TOT batches by the National Institute and facilitate their participation.

Sometimes additional trainings may needs to be organized over and above the annual training plan as per requirements of the state or as conveyed by CTD.

ManuMathew Wed, 27/07/2022 - 13:09

Monitoring and Evaluation of Training

As training is being conducted through out the year the STDCs have to be able to generate and report the latest status of the training on demand. They should take action to ensure adequate performance against the plan. For this task the STDC needs to:

Monitor the end-to-end execution process of each batch of planned training at STDC and other levels. This includes:
1. monitoring of the batches initiated/completed as per the plan for various cadres/ geographies.
2. monitoring the output of the training in terms of the proportion of trainees successfully completing the training.
Take action for trainees who were unable to successfully complete training, by including them in the next available batch.
Training feedback and quality assurance. This includes collating and analyzing the various quantitative/ qualitative feedback provided by the participants at the end of the course and translate the feedback into actions related to the trainer, training infrastructure and facilities, training content.
At the end of each year before the next year's planning, evaluate the training conducted against the annual plan. Any shortfall may be accounted for during the subsequent year's training plan.
Based on the evaluation STDCs should prepare the annual report of training conducted in the State and include it in the NTEP report of the state for future reference and review

Training Evaluation

It is imperative to evaluate the short-term effects and long-term gains of any training programme to update the knowledge and expected performance up gradation with respect to the changing programme strategies. This is especially important for the NTEP addressing TB having wide spread stigma prevalent in the community. This can be undertaken in association with linked National Institute periodically at least once in 2-3 years. (click here)

Heena.goyal Wed, 27/07/2022 - 13:27

Management of the IRL

At the beginning of the RNTCP era, ZN microscopy was the only diagnostic technology available and STDCs were made in charge of monitoring and ensuring quality. Since then, laboratory services in the NTEP has been under continuous evolution and expansion. The programme has expanded to use a range of technology to detect both Mycobacterium Tuberculosis as well as resistance to the various anti-TB drugs. These include LED microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based rapid molecular tests/ NAAT and C&DST. These tests have been increasingly scaled up and integrated into the TB Programme.

This evolution and expansion have resulted in laboratory services being a highly specialized Microbiological area. The IRL has evolved under the STDC as important institution in the NTEP. The IRL has the responsibility to ensure laboratory services for all technologies in the region are performing at the optimum standard and quality. In this context the STDC being the overarching institution for technical assistance to the state, it has to manage the IRL and ensure that it performs as per the expectations of the program. This includes:

Completion of Microscopy/ NAAT Quality Assurance activities in the region as per plan. The Framework for implementing microscopy EQA available here.
Facilitating the certification process and quality assurance of all linked C&DST Labs in the state.
Co-ordinating the establishment of new C&DST labs in the state as per the needs, in consultation with CTD.
Facilitating ongoing Lab Trainings at STDC
Facilitating other ongoing programme functions in relation to laboratory services, mentioned in the corresponding sections.

ManuMathew Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:46

Technical Assistance to State TB Program

Apart from the core routine activities of Training and SM&E, STDCs need to support the state by technically guiding the state TB programme.

1. Support and preparing the state strategy plan for TB Elimination: STDCs need to plan strategies and support the state to adopt state specific strategies and programme implementation approaches taking into consideration the TB epidemiology and health system strength.

2. Implementation of new interventions: Based on evolving programme guidelines issued by the CTD, STDCs need to support the state in implementation of new interventions in the state.

3. Support in preparing the PIP: The STDC based on the existing performance of the state and the needs identified based on the TB Elimination strategy of the state, needs to support the state and districts to prepare the PIP in such a way that the state and district NTEP is adequately resourced.

4. Advocacy: The STDC needs to advocate and obtain resources required for the state level strategy. Advocacy may be directed towards the sources such as the NHM, State Health System, Government representatives and Panchayati Raj Institutions, private and corporate entities, and even to the civil society and community at large.

5. TB Surveillance: The STDC should have a clear understanding of the status of the TB burden and epidemiology of the state through continuous ongoing surveillance activities. This may include activities such as conducting surveys, analysis of programme data and additionally collect data as per need. Based on this activity the state may apply for Sub-National Disease free certification.

6. Generate evidence for programme interventions in alignment with state strategy through suitable Operational Research, and by evaluating, documenting and disseminating the best practices by publishing related reports and periodicals.

7. Support Sub-national certification (SNC) for TB Elimination: STDCs need to support the SNC process.

Activities related to these processes need to be planned by the STDCs each year and budgeted in the PIP. Further details of each technical activity is provided below.

ManuMathew Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:41

Preparation of state strategic plan for TB Elimination

India has a highly variant TB epidemiology and extreme difference in health system strength. One national strategy will not translate to effective on ground activities. STDCs need to technically support the state in identifying bold programmatic changes designed to accelerate progress toward "TB Elimination". STDCs based on its understanding of the State, need and context (TB epidemiology, strength of health system, resources available), needs to prepare and evolve action plan toward TB Elimination. The action plan while being in alignment with the interventions of the NTEP strategy, needs to consider the TB burden of the state, special population groups related to TB (vulnerable groups, migrants etc.). Based on this context the strategic interventions may add on to existing NTEP and may be directed towards

Early and complete TB detection
Correct and complete treatment
Prevent new infection and break down to active TB
Health system strengthening for TB care

ManuMathew Sun, 24/07/2022 - 12:15

Support Preparation of the State PIP

The STDCs need to technically support STCs in preparing the annual action plan as per the state strategy for PIP preparation. This would include:

Gap Analysis: The STDCs need to undertake district-wise gap assessment through analysis of the existing data, observations from the supervisory visits and periodic evaluations, a district-wise gap analysis need to be prepared. Gap analysis should highlight what are the major program gaps in terns of infrastructure, equipment, HR, activities and funds in each district.
Identification of priority activities: Based on gap analysis, STDCs need to help the districts and state to identify the activities to be included on priority basis in the PIP of the respective district and state level.
Capacity building and mentoring of district: STDCs should support DTO to prepare the PIPs of their respective districts including the micro-plan for each activity with number of beneficiaries and expected outcomes with proper justification. This may be done in a workshop mode before the preparation of the state PIP.

Medical Officer (SM&E) will be the nodal person who is responsible for the activity under the overall guidance of the Director STDC and STO.

Heena.goyal Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:44

Advocacy

The STC has been provided ACSM Officer from the NTEP for carrying out and coordinating the ACSM activity in the State. The overall responsibility of ACSM activity would therefore lie with the STC. The STDCs would be required to provide technical inputs to make the ACSM activities more effective and also take certain advocacy activities themselves. The Key role of STDC is described as under: STDCs need to provide technical support to STC for:

Advocacy with political and administrative officials at state and district level to obtain approvals on plans and secure necessary resources for the interventions in state TB elimination strategy. These may be from sources such NHM, State Health System, Government representatives, Panchayati Raj Institutions, private and corporate entities, and the civil society and community at large.
Advocacy with scientific/ professional/ academic organizations/ institutions, Political leaders, Opinion leaders, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), TB Champions, AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy), Corporates and other government departments for implementation of the state TB Elimination strategy and for following Standards of TB Care in India
Designing and Development of Advocacy and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) material in local language including contents for social media.
Supporting the state and districts to develop annual ACSM plan.
Dissemination of programme performance through publication of Bulletin / Newsletter every quarter.
Design and implement “TB-Free Village” Certification as an advocacy initiative

Heena.goyal Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:42

TB Surveillance

It is pertinent to have a clear understanding of the Epidemiology of TB in the state in terms of its burden (incidence and mortality rates) and its trends, identification of vulnerable populations, hot-spots of transmission of TB particularly of drug resistant TB, etc. The STDCs are expected to play a lead role in surveillance, by: -

Ensuring correctness, completeness and timeliness of Ni-kshay data and other program data at all levels through day to day monitoring and necessary hand-holding.
Periodic analysis of programme data.
Collection and analysis of: a) Drug sales data and b) Schedule H1 data
Mathematical modelling in collaboration with domain experts to forecast resource requirements, predict impact of specific interventions etc.
Collect additional information, to understand/ estimate the time place and person changes in the burden of TB by undertaking surveys.
Dissemination of the analytics at all levels within the state and outside the state.

The STDCs should co-ordinate and collaborate with Community Medicine Department of Medical Colleges, Public Health Institutes and Mathematics department of science Colleges including Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institute of Management (IIM). Epidemiologist will be the nodal person responsible for the activity.

Heena.goyal Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:42

Implementation of newer interventions

STDCs should support the state in strategically customizing and scaling up the new interventions and programme guidelines issued by CTD, from time to time, or as per state requirements for TB Elimination.

Specific roles of the STDC in this regard are as follows: -

Mapping of all stakeholders for engagement
Develop necessary training and communication material in local vernacular language.
Develop and implement a training and capacity building plan.
Prepare and implement the supervision and monitoring plan.
Document the initial lessons and disseminate it for wider use.
Support budgeting for implementation of the newer activities in the annual PIP.

Heena.goyal Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:43

Implementation and Operational Research

The NSP encourages and promotes Operational Research to generate evidence on effectiveness of interventions and strategies aimed towards TB elimination. The STDC being the technical support arm of the STC should actively take a role in planning and conducting Implementation Research(IR)/ operational Research(OR).

The STDCs should independently plan and execute need-based Ooperational/ Implementation Research (OR). This would include:

Identify research priority for the state to better achieve the program objectives in alignment with the Operational Research guidelines of NTEP.
Disseminate research priority areas with the potential researchers, institutes, and agencies for the conduct of Operational Research.
Organize capacity building sessions for interested program staff to design research studies and proposals in the form of an Operational Research workshops (Protocol Development, Report writing).
Call for Proposals, review & approval of proposal in coordination with State Operational Research Committee
Setup and host a formal Institutional Ethics Committee to review and approve any research proposals. They may also leverage any existing IEC at a co-located institution.
Applying for and securing funds for executing research studies from external sources.
Support state OR committee to execute approved studies
Review progress of approved studies every quarter
In coordination with Medical college task force, STDCs should also plan to conduct Operational Research dissemination workshop annually.
Advocate for policy/ operational changes in the state and the country, based on Operational Research findings.
Maintain a data base of all TB research (past/ ongoing/ published) from the state
Evaluate and Document best practices in the state, and disseminate them by publishing related reports in periodicals/ journals for necessary programmatic uptake

The Epidemiologist of STDC will be the Nodal Officer for Operational Research related activities.

STDC should ensure that required budget for Operational Research related activities are proposed through the PIP mechanisms. It is essential for the STDC to have a concrete plan in terms of number of research projects proposed in the PIP.

Heena.goyal Wed, 29/06/2022 - 12:44

Support Sub-National Certification

Under NTEP it is ongoing, regular & systematic surveillance conducted annually by CTD across the India. STDCs will support the conduct of annual SNC activities. In addition to that STDCs need to support SNC in the following ways

Preparation and selection of districts for SNC claims including secondary data compilation and analysis
Engaging with the available Public Health experts from Medical Colleges and other institutions.
Supervision and monitoring the quality of the SNC process
Training of volunteers.

Heena.goyal Sun, 24/07/2022 - 12:07