The Reviewed and
Revised Compendium of Christian Projects
Addressing the Diseases
of Poverty: HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and TB
United Mission to Nepal TB
Control Programme
Project/program name: United Mission to Nepal TB
Control Programme
Country: Nepal
Church or denomination: UMN is an international,
interdenominational Christian mission
Project summary: The United Mission to Nepal
cooperates fully with the government’s TB Control Programme through its 3
hospitals. The program is a Directly
Observation of Treatment (DOTS) program.
Background/ History: United Mission to Nepal
has been treating TB in Nepal for nearly 50 years through its Hospitals and
Community Health Programmes. It has
always been at the forefront of delivering modern TB treatment in Nepal. A number of UMN missionaries played
important roles in establishing DOTS treatment in Nepal. This was then adopted with enthusiasm by UMN
hospitals and health projects.
Goals: UMN and the DOTS Programs work for a TB free world.
Objectives: Based on DOTS Program objectives:
1.
Political
commitment
2.
Identifying
cases as quickly as possible, based on smear microscopy
3.
Providing
a secure drug supply
4.
Effective
delivery of the 8 month drug course, with Direct Observation of Treatment
(DOTS)
5.
Program
monitoring
Who does the work? Staff members of United
Mission to Nepal’s three hospitals and community health programs
Main activities: As with other DOTS programs
the United Mission to Nepal diagnoses TB, provides treatment or refers patients
to a suitable DOTS Center, as well as documents cases through the DOTS
reporting system. UMN also provides
shelter during the intensive first phase of treatment when necessary.
Expected outcomes: National DOTS coverage over 90%, case detection rate
at least 70%, cure rates over 85%
Results: UMN hospitals and community
health programs have success rates over 95%.
Lessons learned: DOTS is an effective method
of TB treatment and is likely to prove an effective way of TB control. We have to be prepared to refer patients to
other DOTS facilities for their convenience.
Funding and other resources:
N/A
Further reading and other
documents: The
Stop TB web site is http://www.stoptb.org.
Contact information:
Dr. John Dickinson, UMN TB Consultant
PO Box 126
Kathmandu
Nepal
Telephone/fax: +977 1 251570
E-mail: john@sakriya.umn.org.np