Tools

Annex 1 - List of Participants

Participant List - Bangladesh

  • Dr. Rupali Sisir Banu (National Program Coordinator, NTP)
  • Ahmadul Hasan Khan (National M&E Expert, NTP)
  • Afzalur Rahman (NTP)
  • Salim Hamid (GFATM)
  • Md. Ferdous Alam, MSH/MTaPS Project
  • Md. Abu Taleb, MSH/MTaPS Project
  • Mohammad Golam Kibria, USAID/STAR
  • Dr. Paul Daru, icddrb/ACTB Project
  • Pushpita Samina, USAID Bangladesh
  • Nazis Arefin Saki, WHO Bangladesh
  • Shahriar Ahmed, icddrb/ACTB Project
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global Fund)
  • Kevin Luthi (Global Fund)
  • Dr Sayera Banu (icddrb/ACTB Project)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Varun Chauhan

Participant - Cambodia

  • Dr. Huot Chan Yuda (Director of CENAT/NTP Manager)
  • Dr. Tieng Sivanna (Deputy Director of CENAT)
  • Chanary IM KH (KHANA)
  • Chengellay (CENAT)
  • Panha Morn KH KHANA
  • Song Ngak (TB advisor, Public Health Institute)
  • Chan Rasmey (IT officer, CENAT)
  • Brian Kanyika, GFATM
  • Pheng Sok Heng, CENAT
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global Fund)
  • Khun Kim Eam (CENAT)
  • Sokheng Pheng
  • Nou Chanly (CENAT)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Enos Okumu Masini
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Maurizio Beccherle
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Cameroon

  • Titahong Nosoh Collins
  • Inglina Juvalta Egger (Global Fund)
  • Kobto Koura (The Union)
  • Gisele Badoum
  • Etoundi Evouna
  • Edwige Belinga
  • Antoine Etoundi Evouna
  • Albert Kuate
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global Fund)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Caoimhe Smythe
  • Enos Okumu Masini
  • Enos Okumu Masini
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Maurizio Beccherle
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - DR Congo

  • Gertrude Lay Ofali (Chief of M&E Division)
  • Dr. Michael Kaswa (NTP Manager)
  • Colette Kinkela Bedi (Senior Assistant M&E)
  • Dieu Merci Mumbolo (Junior Assistant M&E)
  • Nicolas Farcy (Global Fund)
  • Marcos Patinomayer (Global Fund)
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global Fund)
  • Joanna BarczyK (Global Fund)
  • Mamie Kinkela
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Maurizio Beccherle
  • Nida Yamin

Participants - Ethiopia

  • Dr. Taye Letta (NTP)
  • Dr. Andergachew Kumsa (NTP)
  • Ms.Addisalem Yilma (NTP)
  • Mr.Abayneh Ademas (NTP)
  • Evelyn Zbinden (Global Fund)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Dr. Thandi Katlholo
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Ghana

  • Dr. Rita Patricia Amenyo
  • Zeleke Wagaw
  • Bernard Wadie
  • Dr. Yaw Adusi-Poku
  • Kwami Afutu
  • Raymond Gockah
  • Amjad Idries (Global fund)
  • Nicole Delaney (Global fund)
  • Nnamdi Nnwaneri (Global Fund)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Thandhi Katholo
  • Dr Enos Okumu Masini
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - India

  • Dr. Nishant Kumar, Central TB division
  • Vaibhav Shah, Central TB division
  • Dr. Kiran Rade (WHO)
  • Nnamdi Nnwaneri
  • Naiome Restrope
  • Wilson Lu
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Indonesia

  • Dr. Tiara Pakasi, NTP manager
  • Eko Sulistyo
  • Anggit Nurb Fitria (GFATM)
  • Bawa Wuryaningtyas
  • Bestta Khalief
  • Jonathan Marshall Marbun (WHO)
  • Muhammed Aditya Dhaneswara
  • Tiar Salman
  • Fitri Kusuma Dewi
  • Anis Hariri
  • Di.Wu (Global Fund)
  • Wilson Lo (Global Fund)
  • AHMADOVA, Shalala Rafayil (WHO)
  • Bawa Wuryaningtyas
  • Bey sonata (usaid)
  • Irfan Syed (FHI 360)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Enrica Fantini
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan
  • Nitish Bhatnagar

Participants - Kenya

  • Adano Godana (NTP)
  • Aiban Robono
  • Carol Asin (NTP)
  • Drusilla Nyaboke (NTP)
  • Martin Githiomi (NTP)
  • Stephen Macharia (NTP)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Dr. Thandi Katlholo
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Mozambique

  • Tomas Dolce (M&E advisor NTP)
  • Dr. Bachir Macuacua (Technical advisor, NTP)
  • Dr. Bendita Jose (Coordinator NTP)
  • Raimundo Machava
  • Ivan Manhiça
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global fund)
  • Gemma salvetti (Global fund)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Thandi Kotholo
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Nigeria

  • Dr. Chukuwama Anyaike (National Director NTP)
  • Dr. Obioma Akaniro
  • Mohammed Amjad
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri
  • Barbara Souza
  • Margaret Zamzu
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Thandi Katlholo
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Pakistan

  • Dr. Razia Fatima (NTP)
  • Dr. Bushra Jamil
  • Basharat Khan
  • Junaid Arif
  • Dr. Nasim Akhtar
  • Agnes dzokoto (Global Fund),
  • Dr Karam Shah (Dopasi foundation)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Philippines

  • Dr. Celine Garfin
  • Donna Gaviola
  • Dr. Allan Fabella (USAID)
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global fund)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Enrica Fantini
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Naveen Narale
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan
  • Aritra Das

Participants - South Africa

  • Dr. Sicelo Dlamini
  • Nkateko MKhondo
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global fund)
  • Lindiwe Mvusi
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Uganda

  • Dr. Stavia Turyahabwe
  • Dr. Robert Majwala
  • Dr. Hellen Namwanje
  • Dr. Mabel Nakawooya
  • Julius Okecha (USAID)
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global Fund)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Enrica Fantini
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Ukraine

  • Dr. Yana Terleeva
  • Dr. Bernard Tetiana (USAID)
  • Gunta Draviniece
  • Alexey Bogdanova
  • Iana Nova
  • Kampos Rodriques
  • Dilyafruz Khudaykulova
  • Kateryna Matyushkina
  • Alexander Kurdus
  • Lyudmila Prilepina
  • Roman Rodina
  • Natalia Campos-Rodriguez
  • Darren Dorkin (Global fund )
  • David Kokiashvili (Global fund)
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global fund)
  • Dr Andrei mosneaga (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Thandi Katlholo
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participant List - United Republic of Tanzania

  • Dr. Liberate Mleoh (NTP manager)
  • Julius Mtemahanji
  • Zuweina Kondo
  • John Msaki
  • Immanuel Nkiligi
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global Fund)
  • Robert Balama
  • Emmanuel Matechi
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Dr. Thandhi Katholo
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
  • Varun Chauhan

Participants - Viet Nam

  • Dr. Loung Anh Binh
  • Dr. Phan Nguyen
  • Dr. Nam Do
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Dr. Shibhu Balakrishnan (Consultant)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Varun Chauhan
  • Nida Yamin

Participants - Zambia

  • Dr. Mushota Kabaso (M&E national advisor),
  • Dr. Rhebab Chemizizi (Senior TB and Global Fund Grant Advisor),
  • Dr. Patrick Lungo (Program Manager),
  • Dr. Sulani Nyimbili (epidemiology division TB)
  • Clara Kasapo
  • Paul McCarrick (Global Fund)
  • Ezra Tessera (Global Fund)
  • Nnamdi Nwaneri (Global Fund)
  • David Mukube
  • Grant Mulenga
  • Morton Khunga
  • Innocent Mwaba (CIDRZ)
  • Vimbai Makwambeni (PATH)
  • Reford Mihova (PATH)
  • Dr. Sreenivas Nair (Regional advisor)
  • Sabyasachi Das
  • Shital Thakkar
  • Nida Yamin
Annex 2 - Approach and Methodology

A structured process-led approach was designed to execute this assessment which involved multi-stakeholder consultations and participation. Following were some core principles put in place while designing the approach:

  • Multi-stakeholder engagement and participation
  • Open-minded discussion
  • Proactive information collection
  • Avoiding any conflict of interest
  • Validation of information at each stage
  • Acquired necessary signoffs and approvals from countries

Following methodology was formulated to confide with the above-mentioned principals

As you can see above, the methodology was divided into 5 main steps starting from, Collection, Curation, Validation, Analysis, Recommendation.

Each step can be further elaborated with sub-processes as given below:

1.1. Collection:

1.1.1. Country engagement process

As an initial introduction to the project and to seek the NTP’s support, an official letter from Executive Director office of Stop TB Partnership was shared in the month of July 2021 informing and inviting to participate in this assessment process to all 20 NTP managers of TB high burden countries namely- Bangladesh, Cambodia, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Myanmar, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, United Republic of Tanzania, Ukraine, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia.
A series of follow-ups were done to seek convenient time to organise the workshop from the office of Stop TB Partnership. Following were the areas where country’s engagement and participation was requested:

  1. As a first step, all the countries were invited for an introductory meeting where the countries were introduced to the project, objectives and expected outcome.
  2. Countries were also requested to complete the online questionnaire already shared to them before hand
  3. Countries were also requested to appoint a point of contact from the NTP could lead the coordination on behalf of the NTP.

The list of NTPs who were contacted with dates can be found in Annex 1

1.1.2. Tools for data collection

Various tools and documentation templates were used as part of the data collection process. Following are some of the examples of tools and templates that were used:

  • Detailed survey questionnaire template: This is a detailed questionnaire which was administered during the detailed assessment workshop calls with the national program representatives.
  • Online survey: This is an online tool that was created for the participants to share basic information’s with the objective of optimising time during the assessment workshop calls.
  • Desktop research data collection template: A detailed desktop research was done before the introduction workshop and detailed assessment with the objective of optimising time during the calls and also to help with targeted and specific probing questions.
  • Probing questionnaire: Based on the desktop research specific and focused questions were asked and validated.
  • Analytical Framework/Country Assessment Template: This is the most important and elaborative tool of the entire assessment. The analytical template consists of the complete country assessment information put into a structured format. The framework allowed in converting a subjective and unstructured information into a more structured and analysed insights. This also allowed in capturing recommendations which is one of the core components of the assessment report.
  • Minutes of the meeting (MoM): There were primarily 3-4 calls (Introductory call, detailed functional assessment, detailed technical and financial assessment call, follow-up call) happened per country as part of the core assessment processes. Each of the calls were recorded and detailed minutes were shard and captured with the country representatives. All video recordings are archived and can be obtained on request.
  • Introduction PPT: This was an anchor presentation which was used for the first introductory meeting with the NTP highlighting the objective and rational for this assessment and seeking his/her support for the entire assessment duration.

1.2. Curation:

Once the data collection process was complete, data gathered by the team from different sources (i.e., desktop research, online survey, introductory meetings, and detailed workshop) was curated to extract meaningful insights for country-wise compilation in this report. The exercise was repeated from time to time during the assessment, and a step-by-step process was followed to conduct the data curation:

  • Documenting the data
    First step in the process was to make sure that the data is adequately documented. A designated team worked on compiling all the data in country-wise folders and doing a proof reading of the first version files to check for any inconsistencies or errors, which would in turn help in identifying areas to seek more information and clarification. The primary intent of this exercise was to assess and improve the intelligibility and ease of use of the collected information, by putting it in a logical order.
  • Asking questions
    Based on the indications from the last step, the curator gathered more clarity around the identified inconsistencies or gaps in documents. This was first done internally, by either taking a further dive into desktop research or a review of the meeting notes from other team members, or by asking questions to the documenter. In instances, where the collected information was still insufficient to fill the gaps, questions were shared with the country point of contacts and follow up meeting were convened, if required.
  • Translating into standard formats
    With all the information in place, the data was translated and put together in standard formats, mostly by standardizing a minutes of the meeting (MoM) document and further detailing of the detailed assessment template with the additional data, which would now be in a better usable form and be logical for the country NTP teams and the report documenters in the next steps.

1.3. Validation:

A crucial step after each round of country engagement was to validate the findings internally as well as with the country teams. The validation process for each country can be broken into three steps:

  1. After the initial introductory meetings, the Minutes of the Meeting (MoM) document (in a standardized format) was shared with the country NTP team, and their comments were sought to ensure that the understandings gathered from discussions were correct and their feedback was incorporated in the final versions of country documentation.
  2. The detailed assessment template for each country was pre-populated with some basic findings from desktop research and introductory meetings and were further filled during the detailed functional and technical workshop in a screen sharing mode. The country NTP teams were encouraged to validate the data presented, provide more inputs to refine the recorded data and suggest corrections wherever required.

The compiled analytical frameworks (templates for country factsheets) were:

  • First shared internally with the assessment team - Dure Technologies and Stop TB partnership - for the first round of validation. The received feedback was incorporated.
  • The improvised versions were further sent to the country NTPs for their validation on the processes, challenges, vision and other components of the template, and the final version of the country factsheets were thus compiled by incorporating the country feedbacks that were received.

1.4. Analysis:

The collected data for each country was analysed using a standard template that was designed specifically for this assessment project. The ‘Analytical Framework’ template was designed right at the onset of the assessment and was mapped to various data points in the other tools (like the detailed assessment tool), that were used for engaging with the country teams. Data analysis process focused on the following areas broadly:

  • Situation analysis: TB disease burden in the country.
  • Time series analysis: Trend of Disease incidence, treatment coverage and success rate in the last 6 years; and the development of TB surveillance technology over the last decade.
  • Policy analysis: Commitment of the country to the Global strategies (like End TB), the strategies/priorities/vision laid out in the national strategic plans (NSPs), and the immediate plans of the national TB program for execution in 2022-23.
  • Information system architecture analysis: The technology mix being used to support the TB surveillance in the country, data flow and data use arrangements, system ownership, resources, and the stage of development/implementation of information systems.
  • Technology ecosystem analysis: Status of enabling aspects of the technology environment, in terms of penetration and use of gadgets and access to internet services.
  • Resource analysis: Mapping of the supporting partners, the challenges being faced and the resources available to address the gaps in infrastructure, accessibility and use of technologies.

1.5. Recommendation:

In line with the assessment objectives, the ultimate outcome of these country engagements and data analysis was to formulate specific recommendations to strengthen current systems and fast track the plans envisioned by the national TB programs. This final step of the broader exercise started with preparation of a detailed master recommendation directory with inputs from internal and external stakeholders. These recommendations were defined to match the country requirements identified from the desktop research, online survey responses, introductory meetings, and the detailed workshops. These recommendations were classified in multiple groups and mapped against the general level of maturity of the national level TB information systems and the country plans; and ultimately, were customized for each country based on their specific needs. All country recommendations were drafted to address these fundamental questions:

  • What can be done? The recommendations include steps that are needed to implement specific policies or actions that are suitable for the country’s interests, and the resources that would be required in the process to take forward these initiatives.
  • What benefits? Recommendations would also comment on the feasibility of implementing the solutions and the adaptability induced with these actions. It would further talk about the future of these enhancements and the related upgradations for bringing the tools closer to the benchmarked standards for TB surveillance.
  • What additional changes? Apart from the technical enhancements, the recommendations would also bring out the policy level interventions and strategic initiatives that should be practiced by countries to create a conducive ecosystem and sustaining the solutions over time.
Data Collection Tools

Kindly download the pdf to view the data collection tools utilized to conduct this DIGITAL TB SURVEILLANCE ASSESSMENT across the 19 countries.

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