The Global Fund TB Sub-Project, 2021–2023

Project Overview

• Field: Communicable Disease Prevention
• Duration: 2021–2023
• Funder: The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
• Implementing agency: Center for Environmental and Health Studies (CEHS)
• Location: 6 provinces: Kon Tum, Đắk Nông, Lâm Đồng, Bắc Giang, Hòa Bình and Phú Thọ

Introduction

The Global Fund TB sub-project, implemented by CEHS, supported Vietnam's National Strategy to End Tuberculosis by strengthening active community-based case-finding, latent TB screening and treatment, and promoting the public-private mix (PPM) model for TB control. The project was implemented in 6 provinces, prioritizing localities with a high TB burden and limited access to health services.

CEHS's Role

CEHS served as the Global Fund's Sub-Recipient (SR), responsible for managing and coordinating the entire sub-project; developing the implementation plan; organizing training, communication and technical supervision; managing finances and the monitoring and evaluation system; and working closely with the National TB Program and localities to implement TB control activities in line with technical guidance.

Key Activities

• Developing the implementation plan and organizing kick-off workshops and annual review conferences in project provinces.
• Organizing communication activities, training health workers, and conducting community screening via X-ray and GeneXpert testing for early detection and treatment enrollment.
• Latent TB screening and treatment: screening high-risk groups, Mantoux testing, and managing and treating latent TB per National TB Program guidance.
• Strengthening the public-private mix (PPM): establishing a network of public and private health facilities, training, supporting referral of presumptive TB cases, and strengthening community-based case detection and management.
• Conducting technical supervision, data management, progress tracking and results evaluation in project localities.

Key Results

• Over 102,000 people screened, more than 101,000 X-rays and 14,500 GeneXpert tests conducted, detecting and enrolling 1,030 TB patients in treatment, contributing to earlier detection and fewer missed cases.
• The project screened 13,537 people, conducted 12,480 Mantoux tests and enrolled 857 people with latent TB in treatment. The treatment enrollment rate rose from 55.3% in 2021 to 74.0% in 2023.
• A network of nearly 100 public and private health facilities was established and maintained, referring 7,483 presumptive TB cases to the TB Program for diagnosis, detecting 1,559 TB patients.
• CEHS coordinated with the National TB Program and localities to conduct 46 technical supervision visits during 2021–2023, helping guide correct technical implementation, improve data management quality, and promptly resolve implementation challenges.