DEFEAT TB was a five-year project (2017- 2022) funded by USAID and implemented by the University Research Council (URC) in collaboration with sub-grantees to include JCRC. The project goal was; To increase TB case notification, case detection and improve treatment outcomes through health system strengthening to end the TB epidemic in Uganda.

The project’s objectives were;

• To increase screening and detection of all forms of tuberculosis in infants, children, adolescents, and adults at facility and community levels; To initiate and complete treatment for all patients diagnosed with all forms of TB
• To ensure strong community systems to support the continuum of TB prevention, screening, diagnosis, care, and treatment
• To enhance leadership and technical capacity of the TB program at national and subnational levels to effectively guide and manage implementation of TB control activities.

The project was implemented in Kisubi Hospital, Wagagai HC III, Nakawuka HC III & Kajansi HC III, Health Center II-Cherish Medical Center.

DEFEAT TB built capacity of over 500 health workers in the prevention, care and treatment of TB through training and mentorship; identified, diagnosed and treated over 5,000 TB index patients. JCRC played a crucial role in DEFEAT TB’s success in improving TB case detection and treatment outcomes in Wakiso. JCRC contributed significantly to the identification of missing TB cases, helping to increase the national case detection rate from 63% to 87.9%, with focus districts like Wakiso seeing improvements from 61% to 72%.

Its support in MDR-TB treatment also contributed to the increase in treatment success from 56.7% to 79.6% nationally and from 46.4% to 79.2% at the directly supported DR-TB treatment sites. Additionally, JCRC was integral in improving the national TB treatment success rates, boosting them from 69.3% to 85.3%, and aiding in the success of TB interventions through quality improvement approaches that targeted active case finding, patient retention, and treatment success.

With regard to leadership, technical capacity, and coordination, JCRC contributed to the development of the national TB strategic plans and annual operational frameworks. JCRC played a vital role in TB policy development and research, contributing to the creation of the National TB research agenda and the launch of operations research forums to inform evidence-based policy changes.

Furthermore, JCRC supported the transition from paper-based to digital monitoring systems like the DHIS2, enhancing data quality and usage across Uganda’s TB program. By training and transitioning responsibilities to health workers, JCRC ensured the sustainability of the project’s achievements and laid the groundwork for future successes in the fight against TB in Wakiso and Uganda.