This program aims to increase the demand for TB/Leprosy care by raising community awareness through advocacy communication, social mobilization and other integration via the Health Extension Program.

Three TB prevention and control indicators include TB case detection rate, TB treatment success rate and TB cure rate. Overall, this program is maintaining high levels of treatment success and cure rate. Once put on TB treatment, adherence of patients to the treatment is satisfactory.

With respect to leprosy prevention and control, Alert hospital provides specialized services such as plastic & reconstructive surgery (cleft lip/palate, hand surgery, treating contradictors, correcting any deformities associated with Tendons and Ligaments), orthopedic surgery (disease of bones and joints), Ophthalmology (diseases related to the eye), orthopedic workshop (preparing prosthetic materials for handicapped patients with leprosy), occupational therapy (teaching leprosy affected people to perform their daily activities) and conduct leprosy prevention and control research.

Both tuberculosis and leprosy have proven strategies and effective treatment schedules. They also benefit from sustainable global support. The main strategy for these two diseases is to enhance the detection rate and completion of regularly provided treatment. The findings of the MTR is that while improvement in the detection rate of these two diseases still require more efforts, the treatment success being achieved so far is encouraging. The number of new cases of leprosy was found to be still significant. Strategic plans for TB 1999 – 2002 (EC) and Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR) prevention and control have been developed and disseminated. Various manuals including TB Laboratory Manual and TB/leprosy manuals have been developed and distributed to all hospitals and health centers in accordance with international recommendations. Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (DOTS) is available in all hospitals and health centers equipped to conduct laboratory tests. The preparation and coordination of a simple, clinical definition of TB suspect case to facilitate referral by HEWs has been useful. Guidelines for Public Private Partnerships (PPP) were developed to promote the involvement of the private sector.