Health sector reform and tuberculosis control: the case of Zambia
Bosman, M.C.
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease the Official Journal of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease 4(7): 606-614
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 1027-3719 PMID: 10907762 Document Number: 308711
Zambia, 1995-1997. To describe the process leading to the collapse of Zambia's National Tuberculosis Programme NTP). A descriptive analysis of health sector reform in Zambia and its effects on the NTP during the period 1995-1997. By the end of 1997 the NTP had stopped functioning. The main reason was that external support had ended, while the National Strategic Health Plan 1995-1999 had no budget for special programmes according to the policy to integrate these into the general health services. As a consequence, technical support for tuberculosis control to districts ended as staff was reduced to one officer responsible for the national coordination of AIDS/HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STD), tuberculosis and leprosy. The most serious effect of the transition was the interruption of supplies of anti-tuberculosis drugs in 1998. The experience in Zambia demonstrates the urgent need for constructive dialogue between 'health reformers' and 'disease controllers'. The aim of this dialogue would be to develop a model that ensures that tuberculosis patients are properly diagnosed and cured in countries that are embarking on a reform of their health services.