March 2025 – March 2028
Sierra Leone
In Sierra Leone, tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health challenge, with 298 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the sixth leading cause of death in the country. Yet, fewer than a quarter of cases are tested, and preventive treatment for children under five, who are particularly vulnerable, has still not been implemented. The Ebola and COVID-19 outbreaks have weakened TB control services and increased community mistrust toward the health system. However, the TB-Speed project, led by Solthis in Sierra Leone between 2017 and 2019, demonstrated the effectiveness of decentralizing pediatric tuberculosis diagnosis, paving the way for improved screening and care.
General objective :
To contribute to reducing tuberculosis-related mortality in children under five in Sierra Leone.
Beneficiaries
-
1 district hospital, 30 community health centres, 131 health posts, 75 maternal health posts.
628 health workers trained in TB screening in primary care.
-
30 health workers trained in TB treatment at the TPT.
13 health workers trained in TB confirmation.
-
90 community mobilisers trained in TB screening and referring patients to the right services.
80,000 children under five consulted in health establishments throughout the project
Results
-
R1: TB care provision (including preventive treatment), is improved and a referral pathway for diagnosis is put in place for chirldren <5.
-
R2: Gender-sensitive community action for access to TB services for children <5 is improved and reinforced.
-
R3: A strategy for accessing TB care provision for children <5 is operationalized and results are shared towards national transition and scaling-up.
