Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Bridging the Gap in Early Detection
TB remains a critical health challenge for children in Ethiopia. While the global End TB Strategy calls for universal access to care, many cases among children in our communities remain undetected. We are closing this gap by integrating TB screening into the heartbeat of our communities: the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Parent Coaching Program.
Our Approach: Community-Led Collaboration
We believe that achieving the End TB goal requires empowering grassroots structures. In partnership with the Addis Ababa Health Bureau and the Maternal and Child Health Directorate, we are leveraging the existing, trusted relationships parent coaches have with local families to transform them into frontline TB detection partners.
Key Pillars of the Initiative:
- Strategic Integration: We are embedding TB awareness and symptom screening directly into the existing services provided by ECD parent coaches.
- Capacity Building: We have successfully conducted comprehensive training for parent coaching workers and their supervisors. They are now equipped to identify the basics of pediatric TB and navigate the referral pathway.
- Effective Referrals: By training these workers, we ensure that every child exhibiting symptoms is promptly and accurately referred to the nearest Primary Health Care Unit (PHCU) for diagnosis and treatment.
Where We Are Now
This initiative is currently active in two sub-cities and across four Primary Health Care Units in Addis Ababa. By starting at the community level, we are building a sustainable model that can be scaled to reach every child at risk of TB.
By empowering those who support our families daily, we are not just identifying TB—we are building a stronger, more resilient health network for our children.
Get Involved
We are committed to sustained effort until every child with TB is identified and treated. If you are interested in partnering with us or learning more about our methodology, please [https://www.linkedin.com/company/reach-ethiopia/?viewAsMember=true].