1800 K Street NW

Suite 800

Washington, DC 20006

Phone: 202 822 0033

Fax: 202 457 1466

drichardson@path-dc.org  

www.path.org

Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH) and Initiatives offers a broad range of skills and experience to the implementation of the Technical Assistance and Support Contract-Tuberculosis (TASC2-TB). Our implementation partners include: Initiatives, The Pasteur Institute, and Association Pour l'Aide à la Médecine Préventive (AMP). Project Director, D'Arcy Richardson is a recognized tuberculosis (TB) specialist with years of experience working in TB control in the U.S. and internationally.

Core skills of the team include:

• DOTS Expertise in Project Design
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Drug Quality Control
• Laboratory Procedures
• Private Sector Collaboration
• Cost Effectiveness
• Advocacy
• Communications and Social Mobilization

For more than 25 years PATH has created sustainable, culturally relevant solutions that enable communities worldwide to break longstanding cycles of poor health. By collaborating with diverse public and private-sector partners, we are uniquely qualified to introduce appropriate health technologies and vital strategies that change the way people think and act. PATH has worked in more than 120 countries and has field presence in over 20 countries. Staff and international consultants based in regional offices can respond rapidly and knowledgeably to the technical needs of country task orders.

PATH’s approach to TB programming includes five areas of emphasis:

• Promote Stewardship
It is essential that the capability for planning and implementation of TB control efforts be centralized in the public health system. PATH believes in the stewardship of Ministries of Health and national governments and works to strengthen the capacity of the central TB unit for planning, implementation, management, and monitoring of TB control efforts.

• Implementation and expansion of DOTS
Successful implementation of the DOTS strategy through the primary health care system is the ideal foundation for country-based TB control. Following demonstration of successful results (at least 85% cure rates and 70% case detection) priority is given to expansion of DOTS throughout the country. In countries that do not accept the DOTS strategy per se, our team supports work that will provide evidence regarding the cost-effectiveness and appropriateness of the components of DOTS in the local context and, where necessary, adapt DOTS to the local context without sacrificing the core principles of DOTS. During DOTS expansion, PATH focuses on key areas that commonly constrain successful expansion: stable drug supply, laboratory capacity, human resource capacity and monitoring and supervision. Innovative approaches and adaptations to care delivery may enhance core DOTS implementation including the addition of second-line drugs for resistant cases and strategies for engaging the private sector in TB control. 

• Evidence-based programming and policy
We are committed to an evidence-based approach to strategy development, with respect to new approaches and innovations. We emphasize the development of tools for routine recording and reporting of TB cases, monitoring of treatment outcomes, evaluation of trends, and results to inform programming. PATH uses cost-effectiveness studies, clinical trials, field trials, and utilization studies to inform policy decisions and modify program planning. 

• Development of rapid diagnostics
The PATH Diagnostics Team conducts ongoing assessments of new or improved TB diagnostic tools for active case detection and has extensive experience working with private sector industry for introduction of new technologies. These assessments complement the activities of the WHO TB Diagnostics Initiative and the WHO STOP-TB diagnostics working group.
• Strong partnerships for implementation and expansion of TB control programs
Strong dynamic partnerships are a feature of our approach to programming. PATH works closely with governments, stakeholders, other agencies, and communities to assure ownership by local stakeholders, capacity development, and efficient program implementation.