TAP

The Project titled “Improved access to TB services for underserved communities in Andhra Pradesh (TAP)” aimed at reducing levels of TB and TB/HIV co-infection, and increase access to effective health services, through sensitised and empowered communities and local advocacy’. The target communities included tribal and fishing communities, women and children and people living in sparsely populated areas.

Operational Area

The project was operational in 27 blocks spread across six districts of Andhra Pradesh namely, East Godavari Krishna, Nellore, Prakasham, Srikakulum and Vishakhapatnam.

Objectives

  • Increase awareness on TB and HIV confection
  • Increase utilization of free government health services
  • Establish community structures that promote and support health rights, health seeking behaviour and a stigma-free health centre environment
  • Enhance knowledge of TB amongst community
  • Improve TB diagnostic and treatment services
  • Improve access of patients diagnosed with TB and HIV to free treatment in a self-stigma/ community-stigma free environment

Activities

  • Establish linkages with Self Help Groups and orient them to issues related to HIV, TB and Co-infection
  • Conduct desk review of project documents/ MIS and patient satisfaction survey
  • Conduct media activities such as community awareness meetings, cultural shows, observational days and mass awareness events
  • Conduct indirect mid media activities such as radium paintings drawn on ships/ boats, and bus and auto panels, to widely spread the messages on TB and HIV
  • Influence government through systematic advocacy strategies to adopt a policy for providing free double nutritional rations for children on DOTS and INH prophylaxis.
  • Involve Anganwadi workers in awareness generation, case identification and referral to ensure treatment on tuberculosis,
K. Venkateswara Rao
east godavari
“Today, I am alive thanks to a timely outreach,” Komali Venkateswara Rao from Dandamgitribal village of East Godavari district.
During an awareness meeting conducted by TAP outreach worker, Venkateswararaowas identified in a deteriorated health condition. He was referred him for TB and HIV testing and found positive for TB and HIV co-infection. He was very frail and even couldn’t walk properly prior to the treatment. But he has improved a lot within a short time after commencing the treatment.
As ignorance about the infection, mode of transmission, testing and treatment were the main causes behind his deterioration, he decided to be a part of the support group and help the TAP outreach workers in educating the people around his village on HIV/TB.