BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Coalition(CISMAT-SL) was
established Realizing that TB is the leading cause of death among people
living with HIV which is the most important risk factor for developing TB.
Almost one in four deaths among people with HIV is due to TB. The
implementation of collaborative TB/HIV activities including the Three Is and
earlier initiation of ART is proven to prevent unnecessary
deaths among people living with HIV. However, the scale up of
implementation of activities particularly the Three Is for HIV/TB (Isoniazid
preventive therapy, intensified case finding for TB, and Infection
control) is very low. For example by the end of 2009 only 5% of
all people living with HIV were screened for TB and less than 1%
are provided with isoniazid preventive therapy.
Recognized of the fact that HIV/AIDS is fueling a resurgence of TB in many areas of the world particularly Sierra Leone. Global incidence of TB has increased over the past 10 years, killing approximately 2 million people annually. At the same time, TB is a leading cause of death by infectious disease for people living with HIV/AIDS. Yet when contrasted with the extent of social mobilization around HIV/AIDS, the lack of political commitment and Civil Society involvement to TB control is striking.
Conscious of the lack of current research on TB and HIV burden, but Sierra Leone also bears a huge TB and HIV burden like other countries namely Nigeria. Unfortunately when compared to HIV, awareness about TB among the general population in Sierra Leone is extremely poor. Despite the existence of a free TB treatment programme, information about how TB is spread, signs and symptoms and where to access TB services is still lacking.
VISION:
To see a state where Civil Society Organizations are the lead campaigners against TB by involving them in all Sierra Leone National TB/HIV Control Programmes in Sierra Leone.
MISSION:
To ensure a TB/HIV free society there by building the capacity of CSOs on TB/HIV advocacy related programmes in order to enable them respond to TB/HIV prevention and care in Sierra Leone through lobbying dialogue, Advocacy, communication and Social Mobilization programmes and that engagement with policy makers, care providers, and people living with HIV/AID.
OBJECTIVES:
Recognized of the fact that HIV/AIDS is fueling a resurgence of TB in many areas of the world particularly Sierra Leone. Global incidence of TB has increased over the past 10 years, killing approximately 2 million people annually. At the same time, TB is a leading cause of death by infectious disease for people living with HIV/AIDS. Yet when contrasted with the extent of social mobilization around HIV/AIDS, the lack of political commitment and Civil Society involvement to TB control is striking.
Conscious of the lack of current research on TB and HIV burden, but Sierra Leone also bears a huge TB and HIV burden like other countries namely Nigeria. Unfortunately when compared to HIV, awareness about TB among the general population in Sierra Leone is extremely poor. Despite the existence of a free TB treatment programme, information about how TB is spread, signs and symptoms and where to access TB services is still lacking.
VISION:
To see a state where Civil Society Organizations are the lead campaigners against TB by involving them in all Sierra Leone National TB/HIV Control Programmes in Sierra Leone.
MISSION:
To ensure a TB/HIV free society there by building the capacity of CSOs on TB/HIV advocacy related programmes in order to enable them respond to TB/HIV prevention and care in Sierra Leone through lobbying dialogue, Advocacy, communication and Social Mobilization programmes and that engagement with policy makers, care providers, and people living with HIV/AID.
OBJECTIVES:
- To lobby the government of Sierra Leone in order for CSOs to be involved in TB debates including campaigns and planning and that monitoring development of TB programmes in Sierra Leone.
- To build the capacity of CSOs on advocacy related programmes including ACSM strategy for TB Prevention and care in Sierra Leone.
- To organize advocacy forums, Seminars with Parliamentarians, Ministers to raise up voices of CSOs on TB issues and increase TB representation at the CCM and to establish AD-HOC committee or Parliamentary committee on TB
- To increase universal access to information and services and improve the socio-economic impact of TB on individuals and communities in Sierra Leone
- To lobby for the establishment and support the formation of a National TB council headed by Vice President and the meaningful involvement of CSOs and TB patients into the council.
- To stimulate advocacy campaigns including community awareness programmes and international celebrations on TB among communities as well as the general populace on TB/HIV related issues in Sierra Leone.
- To work and engage with policy makers and central government on the development of policies formulation relating to stigma and discrimination and to capture TB/HIV programmes into the national budgets through advocacy, lobbying and dialogue by helping to move the TB issues to the top of the agenda in Sierra Leone.
- To help and facilitate the process of establishing the national coordinating committee on TB/HIV/National Stop TB partnership Board in Sierra Leone so as to oversee and advice on the implementation of TB/HIV activities in Sierra Leone.
- To do research, conserve and preserve relevant information, build networks among relevant civil society including Patient Advocacy Network of People infected with TB, government and international bodies, and disseminate legal and authoritative information on issues directly and/or indirectly relating to TB prevention and care in Sierra Leone
- To coordinate CSOs inputs pertaining to TB issues in Sierra Leone ensuring that sector development in line with the global strategic plan on TB.
