wave 9

For a person with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB), the pathway between diagnosis and treatment initiation is complex. It is a multi-step process spanning several days, involving multiple diagnostic tests and several specialist providers at different facilities. To tackle this challenge, the Wave-9 project—implemented by REACH across eight districts in Bihar (Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Saran, Sitamarhi, and Vaishali) with support from the Stop TB Partnership through the TB REACH initiative—focused on streamlining the pre-treatment evaluation (PTE) process and minimising delays. 

TB Champions, drawing from their own experiences, offered both practical and emotional support to people with DR-TB, enhancing treatment literacy and navigation through the healthcare system. Key interventions of the project included contacting individuals diagnosed with DR-TB at various Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) centres in the implementation districts, facilitating PTEs, and supporting treatment initiation. TB Champions assisted people with LPA sample collection, provided education and counselling, and enrolled them in a digital literacy programme. They also conducted community programmes to raise awareness about TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.