Blogs

HERD has been working in the field of TB since its inception supporting National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) for design and implementation of various national programmes and providing technical assistance to NTP. HERD also worked as a SR (Sub Recipient) of the Global Fund grants to support the NTP for Round-7 and National Strategic Application.

As a part of the regular programme, HERD was invited by National Tubeculosis Centre (NTC) - the focal government body to coordinate NTP activities in Nepal for a workshop to revise manuals, modules and guidelines of NTP. The programme was held from November 8 to 14 at Dhulikhel Lodge Resort, Kavrepalanchowk. The major objective of the workshop was to revise the existing manuals, modules and guidelines of NTP and to prepare facilitators guidelines for the training manuals. There were a total of 50 participants representing NTC, region/districts, supporting partners and World Health Organization (WHO).

From the first day, the participants were divided into 5 groups with the following responsibilities:

• Group A: Develop, revise and update NTP General Manual, Modular and Refresher Training Manual and Facilitators Guide.
• Group B: Develop, revise and update DR TB Training Manual and Exercise Book, Refresher Training Manual, Facilitators Guide and DR TB orientation package.
• Group C: Develop, revise and update Lab Manual, Training Module and Exercise Book, SOP of Lab, Infection control and biosafety guidelines, Gene Xpert training manual.
• Group D: Develop, revise and update NTP clinical manual and facilitators guidelines.
• Group E: Develop, revise and update NTP monitoring and supervision guidelines. 

HERD was placed in group B to develop, revise and update the DR TB manual and exercise book and facilitators guidelines. So in the group along with other members, the group revised the DR manual and exercise book and prepared the facilitator guide. It was learnt that NTC is introducing shorter regimen for MDR TB and introducing new drugs such as bedaquiline and delamanid.

Overall the workshop was fruitful in revising and updating the existing manuals and guidelines of NTP. The new policy and guidelines and newer developments were incorporated in the new manuals. I personally got updated about the new developments going on in NTP especially the end TB strategy and the new drugs for DR TB management. It was discussed that the new manuals were to be approved by the technical working group before publication.

Contributor: Prabin Shrestha