LEAP Local Technical Advisors from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region (Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Africa, eSwatini, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zambia) attended the conference in Durban from June 4th to June 7th, 2024 Titled "Accelerating Progress to End TB." The conference provided a South-to-South learning opportunity for TAs from the SADC region, following a similar meeting for Eastern Africa's TAs at the TRAC Conference in Ethiopia (March 2024).
Technical Advisors (TAs) gained valuable insights into the future of TB control. A promising pipeline of broad-spectrum vaccines targeting various age groups is on the horizon, with the World Health Organization actively preparing countries for their introduction. This, coupled with more effective methods for identifying individuals needing preventive treatment (TPT), offers significant advancements in TB control. Simple program improvements can further increase TPT coverage, reducing the burden on patients.
Beyond medical interventions, the TAs discovered the critical role social determinants like food security play in TB risk. New research sheds light on transmission dynamics, suggesting tidal breathing might be a more impactful factor than coughing. Subclinical TB, an emerging area, requires further investigation for intervention development.
The learnings extended to reaching specific populations. The importance of encouraging men for early diagnosis and involving male TB survivors in outreach efforts was highlighted. Additionally, the critical role traditional healers play in many communities underscores the need for their integration into TB control programs.
Equipped with this knowledge, TAs can advocate for the adoption of new vaccines and improved TPT strategies. They can promote comprehensive TB control approaches that address social determinants of health, educate communities about transmission and prevention, and play a key role in supporting the integration of traditional healers into TB control programs. TAs also had the opportunity to network with colleagues from other countries and discuss potential areas for collaboration.. For more information about the conference, visit the conference website.
