Health Partners | USAID Brazil

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São Paulo State TB Program

The São Paulo TB Control Program is implemented by the Municipal Health Surveillance Coordination (COVISA), which is a division of the São Paulo municipal government. The current COVISA TB Control Strategy includes:

• Early TB detection through both passive and active case finding in health units and in communities, including institutions such as shelters, prisons, nursing homes and mental health clinics;

• Expanding Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course Strategy for Tuberculosis (DOTS). Worldwide experience has demonstrated that the cure rate doubles when TB medication is directly observed by a health professional. Other advantages include: reduction of the treatment default rate, decreased development of resistance, and controlled drug intolerance;

• Distribution of incentives to promote the patient's adherence including (1) bus tickets to ensure patients return to the health service for directly observed medication, (2) food baskets as an incentive to continue treatment, (3) snacks after the patients take their medication.

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Rio de Janeiro State TB Program

Professor Helio Fraga Reference Center (CRPHF)

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency with more than 100 years of experience in working to improve health and living standards in the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.

PAHO is USAID's partner for DOTS expansion in the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Activities include training and technical assistance to state and municipal TB control programs. PAHO is also taking the lead in DOTS implementation in Specialized HIV/AIDS Clinics. In addition, PAHO has trained a team of health professionals to supervise, monitor and evaluate the implementation of DOTS in 32 high burden municipalities in ten Brazilian states.

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PACT/Brazil

Pact was founded in Washington/DC (USA) in 1971. Its mission is to help build strong communities globally that provide people with the opportunity of earning a dignified living and participating in democratic life. Pact achieves this by strengthening the capacity of grassroots organizations, coalitions and networks, and by forging linkages among the government, business and citizen sectors to achieve social, economic and environmental justice. Pact's 15 field offices, oversee activities in 60 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Since 1997, Pact has been active in Brazil and has contributed to the social development and to the reduction of the vulnerability of the Brazilian population, by networking and partnering with local organizations and governments. Pact established its Brazilian office in 2003. Its main goal is to provide technical assistance and to build the capacity of local NGOs and their networks.

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Management Sciences for Health (MSH)