District TB Forum

The district TB forum is a community-engagement modality that aims to empower and engage the TB-affected community. Constituted by TB patients (cured or on treatment), community leaders, government officials, experts and NGOs; it gives a voice to the affected community and advocates with the programme managers for the resolution of challenges faced by TB patients in accessing TB services.

District TB forum is composed of various stakeholders as shown in the table below and its meeting is to be convened at least every 6 months at the district level.

Table: Composition of the District TB Forum

Functions of the District TB Forum  

1. To advise on strategies for engaging communities affected by TB and increasing community participation in TB programs by forming a network of people affected by TB.
2. To periodically review the progress of community involvement and network of people affected by TB.
3. Highlight the concerns and needs of TB patients, and work with the government and a broad range of individuals/ organisations to develop better and more responsive health services.
4. Advocate for greater and more equitable access to quality, accurate and independent information for patients. To focus on reducing health inequalities by campaigning for patients to have the right to be involved in decision-making.
5. Enable dialogue between all stakeholders involved in a TB patient’s care such as government (including local self-government), medical and paramedical associations, industry, medical insurance companies, private healthcare providers and diagnostic centres.
6. Create and manage resources to sustain and accelerate TB prevention, care and treatment services through community engagement and a network of people affected by TB.
7. Facilitate nutritional support, linkages with social welfare schemes, and rehabilitation of TB patients.
8. Perform grievance redressal.

Resources

• NTEP Training Modules (5-9) for Programme Managers & Medical Officers, 2020.

Assessment