Tuberculosis Local Organizations Network

The Tuberculosis Local Organizations Network (TBLON) project will support prevention, care, and treatment of TB in Zambia. A key development initiative under USAID’s new Global Accelerator to End Tuberculosis business model, TBLON is designed to increase investments from the public and private sectors to end the TB epidemic and build accountability and local self-reliance.

TBLON provides support to the Zambian government to strengthen laboratory services and the diagnostic network, and enhance facility and community TB case detection. Improving early TB detection and treatment helps reduce morbidity and limit community spread, ultimately contributing to Zambia's goal of eliminating TB. TB LON will strengthen data management in order to better plan for service delivery, identify programmatic gaps, and budget effectively to meet areas of greatest need.

Some forms of Drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) occur in Zambia. These TB strains are resistant to the most-effective drugs and require longer treatment plans that can be difficult for patients to adhere to. Managing the spread of DR-TB is essential as outbreaks have serious consequences for individuals and communities. TB LON works with facilities to improve case detection and treatment completion to address the specific challenges of DR-TB.

To support long-term sustainability, TB LON  works closely with private-sector partners to generate local capital to fund TB research, develop income generating activities for community health workers, and provide nutritional support for drug resistant TB patients. 

Expected Results

In its first year, the TBLON project is expected to increase the proportion of TB diagnosis made through GeneXpert to 80 percent. GeneXpert is more sensitive than other diagnostic tools so by doing this, the country will miss fewer positive cases. TB LON will identify and initiate treatment to over 20,000 TB patients including 2,000 children and ensure at least 90 percent successfully complete treatment.