SCDI presents to readers the outstanding news of July 2024

Expanding the community network to screen for proactively and support tuberculosis treatment: highlights from the provinces of Gia Lai and Dak Lak

Active community-based tuberculosis screening: speeding up the end of tuberculosis in Dak Lak 

Photo: An active TB screening session in the community

SCDI in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) and Center for Disease and Prevention (CDC), is actively screening communities for tuberculosis and latent TB infection. 

Assessing the tuberculosis control efforts at the grassroots level, Dr. Chau Duong, Director of Dak Lak Provincial Lung Hospital, reported that the tuberculosis control network now covers all 184 communes, wards, and townships in the province. According to Dr. Duong, the provincial tuberculosis program only identifies slightly over 1,000 cases yearly. Alarmingly, there has been a significant increase in new, recurrent, and re-infection cases. Most people with tuberculosis are poor and have limited knowledge about the disease, leading to delayed diagnosis. 

This indicates a large number of undiagnosed and untreated tuberculosis cases in the community. Therefore, members of the Community System to End TB (CSET) play a crucial role as an extension of the local healthcare system, actively supporting patients with tuberculosis to complete treatment successfully and also supporting those with latent tuberculosis infection.

In 2024, Dak Lak province will implement three strategies: enhancing the detection of tuberculosis cases seeking medical care at healthcare facilities, conducting proactive screening for high-risk individuals in the community, and screening and managing latent tuberculosis. "By implementing these three strategies simultaneously, the health sector is launching a concerted effort to shorten the timeline for eliminating tuberculosis. Dak Lak aims to eliminate tuberculosis by 2028," said Dr. Chau Duong.

With the provincial government's three prevention strategies (detection, proactive examination, and management), Dak Lak has achieved many notable results. Evaluating the TB prevention work at the facility, Dr. Chau Duong, Director of Dak Lak Provincial Lung Hospital, reported that the TB prevention network in the entire province currently covers 184 communes, wards and towns. “There will be numerous advantages to early discovery of these things. In particular, it will stop the infection at its source from the outset, have no negative effects on the patient's health or ability to perform their job, and eventually eradicate tuberculosis from the community. The health sector is working to accelerate the time it takes to eliminate tuberculosis by implementing three measures simultaneously. By 2028, Dak Lak is anticipated to have eradicated tuberculosis, "- Dr. Chau Duong stated.

Supporting tuberculosis treatment in Gia Lai communities

To facilitate access to health services, especially tuberculosis screening for people in remote areas and ethnic minority areas; Gia Lai Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Hospital jointly annually implemented the program under the "Expanding Community tuberculosis screening campaign using the 2X strategy" (X-ray, Xpert). The expanded community screening campaign using the 2X strategy aims to proactively detect tuberculosis through free chest X-rays. This campaign contributes to early detection and effective treatment of tuberculosis, reducing the potential for transmission in the community," said Dr. Mai Minh Hien, Director of Gia Lai Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Hospital. 

In collaboration with health workers, SCDI's CSET network in Gia Lai reaches out to high-risk individuals facing difficulties, providing timely screening and treatment. A recent screening campaign in the Kbang district resulted in nearly 3,000 free chest X-rays, with 223 showing abnormalities and 9 tuberculosis cases detected; 8 of these patients met the criteria for treatment.

Ro Yut, a SCDI collaborator in charge of Ia Kdam commune, Ia Pa district, shared, "Due to economic difficulties and distance from healthcare facilities, people here often do not have regular check-ups. When the program reaches the commune, it enables people to be screened for tuberculosis. I coordinate home visits to encourage people to get checked. Once tuberculosis is detected, I am responsible for managing and reminding patients to adhere to the treatment regimen to achieve a cure.

Photo: SCDI gives gifts and nutritional support to tuberculosis patients in difficult circumstances

In addition, SCDI provides nutritional support, gifts, and financial assistance to tuberculosis patients facing difficulties, helping them improve their nutrition. This motivates them to adhere to the correct and complete treatment regimen to fully overcome the disease. 

Skills training to prevent child abuse for the 'Breaking the Cycle' project

As part of the 'Breaking the Cycle' project, a thematic session was held in Hai Phong in early July 2024, focusing on teaching children about the principles of sexual abuse prevention. Practical information and activities were provided to empower children to protect themselves. The event also featured a donation of books and school supplies of tesa Site Hai Phong Co., Ltd. and FPT University volunteers.

The 'Breaking the Cycle' project organizes regular weekend group activities for children. Each session, tailored to different localities, is carefully planned by SCDI staff and community outreach workers to provide a fun and educational experience. Topics ranging from personal care, sex education, violence prevention, and substance abuse prevention to practical skills like financial literacy, career exploration, and job awareness are covered.

The early July session in Hai Phong, focusing on 'Principles of preventing sexual abuse', provided crucial and practical information to equip children with self-protection skills and avoid potential dangers. The session involved 15 project children and their parents, who discussed the 'five-finger rule' to establish personal boundaries and brainstormed solutions for unexpected situations. Through group activities, children developed teamwork, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.

Photo: Community group members share with children about the 5-Finger Rule - setting boundaries to self-protection

Additionally, the event was attended by a group of FPT University student volunteers. In June, this group launched a small project called "Truyền sách" (Passing on Books) with the aim of promoting a love of reading and extending the life of books. They donated over 100 books of various genres and 30 sets of school supplies to the children in the 'Breaking the Cycle' project in Hai Phong.

Photo: The "Passing on Books" project established by FPT University volunteers donates books and school supplies to disadvantaged children in the "Breaking the Cycle" project.

The group activities aim to equip children with essential life skills, enhance their communication, learning, and social interaction abilities, and boost their self-confidence, sociability, and self-protection. By donating books and school supplies, SCDI hope to alleviate the financial burden on families and motivate children to pursue their education and healthy development. We would like to thank tesa Site Hai Phong Co., Ltd. for their generous support for the 'Breaking the Cycle' project in Hai Phong, and the FPT University student volunteers for their contributions. Every small action, whether by an individual or a group, can make a positive impact and change the lives of underprivileged children.