ATM Network, Anambra TB Programme Strengthen Partnership to Boost TB Service Quality

The AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (ATM) Network has reached a partnership agreement with Anambra State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (TBLSCP) to work collaboratively towards improving tuberculosis service delivery through community-led monitoring and evidence-based interventions.
They reached the agreement when the ATM Network Advocacy Team paid a visit to the State Programme Manager of the TBLSCP, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, at the Anambra State Ministry of Health in Awka as part of efforts to enhance the implementation of the Global Fund-supported Integrated Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) Project in the state.
The State Coordinator of the TB Network and Chair of the ATM Network in Anambra State, Mrs. Ify Unachukwu, highlighted the objectives and progress of the Integrated CLM Project, explaining that the initiative generates community-driven evidence to improve access, quality, equity and responsiveness of tuberculosis, HIV and malaria services.
According to her, the project complements the Anambra State Government’s efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, expand access to quality health services and promote evidence-based planning and decision-making.
The State Programme Officer of the TB Network, Mr. Onyekachi Ololo, presented emerging findings from community and health facility monitoring, identifying key challenges affecting service delivery, including access to healthcare, availability of commodities, patient experience, referral systems, stigma and weak linkages between communities and health facilities.
Ololo noted that the findings provide practical evidence that can guide interventions aimed at improving service quality and patient outcomes.
The advocacy team stressed that Community-Led Monitoring is designed to complement government programmes by providing timely, credible and actionable feedback from communities and health facilities to support continuous quality improvement.
Responding, Dr. Chukwulobelu commended the TB Network and its partners for implementing the Integrated CLM Project.
He described community-generated evidence as an important tool for strengthening tuberculosis control efforts in the state.
Chukwulobelu expressed the readiness of the TBLSCP to sustain collaboration with civil society organisations and other stakeholders to improve programme performance.
He emphasized the need for regular submission of Community-Led Monitoring reports generated from health facilities and communities.
According to him, timely reports will enable the programme to quickly identify service delivery gaps, implement corrective measures and improve the quality and accessibility of tuberculosis services across Anambra State.
The Programme Manager assured the advocacy team that the TBLSCP would continue to review and act on evidence-based recommendations that support improved patient outcomes and the achievement of national and state tuberculosis control targets.
Both parties reaffirmed commitment to strengthening coordination, institutionalising regular information sharing and using Community-Led Monitoring findings to enhance planning, accountability and the delivery of quality tuberculosis services across Anambra State.