Finding and treating missed TB and Leprosy cases is a cornerstone of global efforts to End TB and eliminate Leprosy. In Ethiopia, up to 30% of TB cases go undetected annually, fueling the spread of these devastating diseases. To address this challenge, the Ethiopian health system launched an Optimized TB and Leprosy Case Finding Campaign, targeting high-risk groups across the nation, including urban slum dwellers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), mining communities, prison populations, and healthcare workers.
Despite progress in reducing TB incidence over the last two decades, Ethiopia continues to face high rates of TB transmission and undiagnosed cases. Similarly, identifying Leprosy cases remains challenging due to stigma and limited awareness. These gaps perpetuate disease transmission, morbidity, and mortality, emphasizing the need for innovative case-finding approaches.
In response, the Ethiopian Ministry of Health implemented a comprehensive case-finding campaign in 760 Woredas (districts), 78 IDP sites, and 53 prison facilities in 2024.
The campaign demonstrated the power of targeted interventions and community engagement in combating TB and Leprosy. It not only uncovered hidden cases but also strengthened Ethiopia’s capacity to address drug resistance and integrated disease management.
During the Advisor’s support visit, a TB patient in Southern Ethiopia shared that:
Ethiopia’s Optimized TB and Leprosy Case Finding Campaign showcases how coordinated efforts, resource optimization, and innovative strategies can overcome barriers to disease detection and treatment. These efforts are pivotal in reducing disease burden, breaking the transmission cycle, and advancing toward the global goal of eliminating TB and Leprosy.
