Regional study on the Implementation of Harmonized TB Management Guidelines and Cross-border Referrals in the Mining Sector in SADC Region

In 2012, the SADC Heads of State signed the “Declaration on TB in the mining sector”. The declaration states that mineworkers in the SADC region have contributed significantly to the wealth of the region at great personal cost to their health and welfare, and that given the fact that the mining sector is one of the hardest TB-hit sectors, immediate action is needed to protect mineworkers from occupational lung diseases and suffering. The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Agency, Eastern Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC), and the World Bank have since launched a collaboration to support the implementation of the Southern Africa TB and Health Systems Support (SATBHSS) Project.

The project is aimed at improving coverage and quality of TB control and occupational lung disease services; and strengthening regional capacity to manage the burden of TB and occupational diseases. The project targets underserved populations with a high TB and/or TB/HIV burden, including mining communities, transport corridors and cross border areas.

Health Focus will be implementing this project on behalf of Wits Health Consortium who has been awarded the contract by ECSA-HC. The project aims to assess the degree of adoption and implementation of the Harmonised TB Management Guidelines and Cross Border referrals in the Mining Sector in the SADC Region.