United Republic of Tanzania – TB Community Network: a platform for a stronger community response to tuberculosis

The United Republic of Tanzania is one of the 30 countries with the highest burden of tuberculosis (TB) in the world. According to WHO, 142 000 people (253 per 100 000 population) fell ill with TB in 2018, of whom 40 000 (28%) were people living with HIV. However, only 75 828 people with TB were notified overall, leaving 47% of people still unreached by the national TB services.

Over the past 15 years, communities affected by TB have played an increasingly important role in implementing the National Strategic Plan (NSP) for TB in Tanzania. Their increasing involvement reflects the findings of studies conducted between 2003 and 2005, which showed that empowering and involving affected communities, including former TB patients, is an effective way of increasing TB case detection and improving TB treatment outcomes.