The United States Ambassador to Kenya, Robert F. Godec, joined the Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Health, James Macharia and Mombasa Governor, Ali Hassan Joho to officially launch the Tuberculosis Accelerated Response and Care (TB ARC) activity during the 2014 World TB Day Commemoration held on March 24, 2014 at the Port Reitz Hospital in Mombasa.
The USAID funded Tuberculosis Accelerated Response and Care (TB ARC) is the US Government’s National level mechanism designed to significantly reduce the TB burden in Kenya by 2018. The Tuberculosis Accelerated Response and Care (TB ARC) activity is expected to do this by increasing the number of new cases found and treated, strengthening lab services to provide TB diagnosis, investing in technology to improve TB and HIV data management, and focusing on children and high-risk populations.
The US Government has invested US$40 Million though the Tuberculosis Accelerated Response and Care (TB ARC) activity to support strategic TB program coordination efforts and stewardship; as well as support TB diagnostic services including Gene Xpert machines. This investment will also be used to implement innovative approaches towards TB control and improve ICT for data management.
In his speech during the launch, Ambassador Godec explained that TB Accelerated Response and Care (TB ARC) had been designed in collaboration with the Government of Kenya to ensure alignment with the national health policies and targets set forth in Kenya’s Vision 2030; and, with the county health managers to ensure appropriateness and support for local structures.
TB ARC is a local solution and thus, will be implemented by a local Kenyan Non-Governmental Organisation; the Centre for Health Solutions, which is led by qualified Kenyan health professionals. As we go forward, the TB ARC and USAID in partnership with the Government of Kenya will capitalize on Kenyan expertise and know-how to significantly reduce the burden of TB in Kenya by 2018. – Ambassador R Godec.
“The United States Government has been a long-time partner with the Government of Kenya in the fight against TB. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Government of Kenya in fighting tuberculosis– building on achievements to ensure that every Kenyan has access to diagnosis and treatment for TB. Working together, we can eliminate TB.” Ambassador Godec added.
Also speaking during the launch, Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said, “My ministry acknowledges the complementary role played by key partners in financing and supporting implementation of TB control activities nationwide. As we commemorate the World Tuberculosis Day, we are also launching a project supported by the United States Government through USAID and will be implemented through the Centre for Health Solutions (CHS).”
The Tuberculosis Accelerated Response and Care activity is being implemented through a consortium that consists of Centre for Health Solutions – Kenya (CHS) Consortium Lead, National Tuberculosis Leprosy and Lung Disease Unit (NTLD-Unit)- Implementing Partner, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)- Communication and Advocacy: SAFARICOM and Tangazo Letu (Technology Partners).