Background

The Tuberculosis/HIV grant was awarded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to reduce the occurrence of TB/HIV in Southern Sudan. TB is a leading cause of death among PLHWA (People Living with HIV/AIDS). Although the incidence of HIV infection in TB patients is largely unknown, it is estimated that between 15% and 20% of all TB patients in Southern Sudan are infected with HIV. This amounts to nearly 4,040 TB patients already living with HIV. In addition it is estimated that 25,250 people could be living with AIDS in the communities.

Objectives
• To establish mechanisms for collaboration between TB and HIV/AIDS programmes.
• To decrease the burden of Tuberculosis and people living with AIDS.
• To decrease the burden of HIV/AIDS in TB patients.

Specific Objectives:
• To strengthen the management and technical capacity of the Southern Sudan Health Infrastructure.
• To intensify tuberculosis case finding among people living with AIDS.
• To provide TB preventive therapy to people living with AIDS and to provide access to ARV treatment to positive TB cases.
• To reduce co-morbidity, mortality and transmission of TB and HIV in populations in Southern Sudan through collaborative TB/HIV policies and services.

Snapshots of the project's major achievements
• The programme is in its first year of implementation. UNDP/Southern Sudan is in the process of selecting qualified NGOs which will partner with UNDP for the direct implementation of TB/HIV related services in the field.
• UNDP signed an agreement with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in June 2007 to facilitate the establishment of mechanisms for collaboration between Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS programmes. Following the signature of this agreement, a joint TB/HIV Coordinating Body was set up in August 2007. UNDP participated in the development of the terms of reference for the Coordinating Body.
• Vehicles purchased to equip the TB/HIV Coordinating Body.
• Recruitment of staff for TB/HIV collaborative activities is underway.
• During its first year of implementation, the program has concluded an agreement with the World Health Organization to ensure the strengthening of the management and technical capacity of the Southern Sudan Health Infrastructure.
• A Central TB/HIV Coordinating Body has been created and is coordinating all TB/HIV activities between the TB and HIV programs, organizing joint planning between the Southern Sudan TB Program (SSTP) and Southern Sudan AIDS Commission (SSAC), monitoring and supervising the program, formulating policies, guidelines and protocols to regulate the implementation of the program and ensure that continuous surveillance for HIV prevalence is done throughout Southern Sudan.
• In support of the scaling up of an effective national response to HIV/AIDS, anti-tuberculosis drugs provided to the National Tuberculosis Program to assist national tuberculosis treatment centers
• Further, microscopes, various laboratory supplies and consumables were distributed to the Global Fund supported TB centers in Yirol East, Yirol West, Adior, Gordhim, Nyamlell, Awerial, Yei, Rumbek, Maridi and Mundri
• A TB/HIV coordination body created in Western Equatoria State.
• Pharmaceuticals have been provided to the National Tuberculosis Program for the treatment of patients suffering from TB and HIV and condoms to TB/HIV sites