Abstract
Broad multi-sectoral action is required to end the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030 and this includes National TB Programmes (NTPs) fully delivering on quality-assured diagnostic, treatment and preventive services. Large implementation gaps currently exist in the delivery of these services, which can be addressed and closed through the discipline of operational research. This paper outlines the TB disease burden and disease-control programme implementation gaps in the Asia-Pacific region; discusses the key priority areas in diagnosis, treatment and prevention where operational research can be used to make a difference; and finally provides guidance about how best to embed operational research within a TB programme setting. Achieving internationally agreed milestones and targets for case finding and treatment requires the NTP to be streamlined and efficient in the delivery of its services, and operational research provides the necessary evidence-based knowledge and support to allow this to happen.
Highlights
Despite progress over several decades in the global effort to control tuberculosis (TB), the disease continues to be a high-priority public health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC)
National TB Programmes (NTPs) play an essential role, for they are responsible for delivering high quality and effective diagnostic, treatment and preventive services, which should interrupt the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and slow down the incidence of TB
Of people living with HIV and newly enrolled in HIV care, 12% and 38% were provided with TB preventive treatment in the South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions, respectively [1]
Summary
Despite progress over several decades in the global effort to control tuberculosis (TB), the disease continues to be a high-priority public health challenge, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). It seems clear that multi-sectoral action will be needed to end the global TB epidemic, that includes accelerating socio-economic development, developing and deploying a new TB vaccine, producing and using novel diagnostics and medicines for treatment, and expanding universal health coverage and universal access to health care [4] Within this framework, National TB Programmes (NTPs) play an essential role, for they are responsible for delivering high quality and effective diagnostic, treatment and preventive services, which should interrupt the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and slow down the incidence of TB. The objectives of this paper are to (i) outline the TB disease burden and disease-control programme implementation gaps in the Asia-Pacific Region, (ii) discuss the priority areas in which operational research can make a difference and (iii) provide guidance about how to get research embedded within a programme setting and used for changing policy and practice
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