ECSA-HC and SADC Secretariat Collaborate to Launch and Train National TB Programmes on TIMS Regional TB Dashboard and Repository

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – In a significant step towards combating tuberculosis (TB) in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, the East, Central, and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), in partnership with the SADC Secretariat, recently organized a 5-day workshop. The workshop aimed to launch and provide training on the TIMS Regional TB Dashboard and repository for National TB programmes.

Held from June 26th to June 30th, 2023, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, the workshop brought together participants from 15 countries: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Madagascar, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia, Seychelles, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Africa. With a total of 30 participants, the event fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing among TB program officials from across the region.

The meeting commenced with a warm reception as the Director of Operations and Institutional Development at the ECSA-HC Secretariat, the principal recipient of the TIMS project, delivered his opening remarks. He highlighted the crucial role of data in decision-making, emphasizing,

 

“This dashboard holds immense significance because, as we all know, data and information are powerful tools. Our objective is to accurately measure our progress towards achieving regional targets for TB treatment.” These insightful words were spoken by Sibusiso Sibadze, setting the tone for the significance and purpose of the gathering.

The primary objective of the workshop was to enhance the capacity of National TB programmes to effectively utilise and manage the regional repository and Dashboard. As TB remains a significant public health concern, the establishment of the regional dashboard fills a critical gap by providing a digital platform to report and track TB trends within the region. Additionally, the dashboard incorporates standardized indicators, including data on TB infections from mines.

In addressing the reporting process to the WHO, Dr Charles Sandy, the Senior Programme Officer for TB and Communicable Diseases, emphasized the challenges faced by member states. He stated, “Member states have traditionally reported to the SADC Secretariat manually, leading to delays and incomplete data.”

During the workshop, participants received comprehensive training on the features and functionalities of the TIMS Regional TB Dashboard. They were guided through various modules that covered data entry, analysis, and reporting. The training sessions were designed to equip participants with the necessary skills to collect, analyze, and interpret TB-related data accurately. Moreover, participants gained valuable insights into leveraging the dashboard’s capabilities to monitor TB trends effectively, identify areas that require intervention, and evaluate the impact of implemented interventions.

The launch of the TIMS Regional TB Dashboard and repository marks a significant milestone in regional collaboration to address TB effectively. By centralizing data and promoting standardized reporting, the dashboard will enable policymakers, researchers, and healthcare professionals to gain real-time insights into the TB burden across the SADC region. This enhanced understanding of the disease’s dynamics will facilitate evidence-based decision-making, allocation of resources, and implementation of targeted interventions.

Speaking at the launch SADC programme officer for health and nutrition Dr Willy Amis said the new tool for the regional data collection process was developed to guide TB management reporting. The database is expected to measure how the region is soaring on TB in terms of whether the region is on track or not and if not what needs to be done.

“TB in the mining sector is a big project that covers 16 SADC member states 9 out of them being ranked as high burden countries with Tanzania being amongst”.

“We must step up our efforts to address frightening statistics of TB in our region and the launched SADC regional dashboard and respiratory will help us centralize the regional TB data in one server, something that will ease the movement to address the tb Burden”. Dr Amis emphasized that the database will ease the challenge of accessing TB information for regional policy-making about the disease.

Moving forward, the ECSA-HC and SADC Secretariat are committed to supporting the participating countries in their efforts to fully integrate and utilize the regional dashboard. Regular monitoring, evaluation, and technical assistance will be provided to ensure the effective implementation and sustainability of the system. Through continued collaboration and information sharing, the region can make significant strides in reducing the burden of TB and improving the health and well-being of its population.

The successful launch of the TIMS Regional TB Dashboard and repository in Tanzania serves as a model for other regions and countries facing similar challenges. By harnessing the power of digital technology and regional cooperation, the fight against TB gains momentum, bringing us one step closer to a world free from this devastating disease.