The health ministry just rolled out a new program aimed at finding missing TB cases. The Gambia's Ministry of Health launched the Programme Quality Efficiency initiative for Active Tuberculosis Case Finding at the National Leprosy office in Kanifing, with Director of Health Services Dr. Momodou T Nyassi calling it a milestone in strengthening service delivery. He stated the PQE is aligned with national health policies and reflects a commitment to institutionalize quality improvement as a core health system function, moving beyond an optional add-on. The initiative involves contracts with Kanifing and Brikama Hospitals as pilot sites, selected because their regions account for over half of the country's TB burden.
National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Programme manager Marie Gomez emphasized that despite past gains, too many TB cases are still missed or diagnosed late. The PQE aims to improve early detection within facilities and communities, strengthen referral and diagnosis systems, enhance health worker training, and use performance monitoring for continuous improvement. She highlighted the signed contracts as symbols of mutual accountability and partnership, intending to ensure no person with TB is left undiagnosed. Officials thanked partners, including the Global Fund, for technical and financial support in this effort to end tuberculosis.
National Leprosy and Tuberculosis Programme manager Marie Gomez emphasized that despite past gains, too many TB cases are still missed or diagnosed late. The PQE aims to improve early detection within facilities and communities, strengthen referral and diagnosis systems, enhance health worker training, and use performance monitoring for continuous improvement. She highlighted the signed contracts as symbols of mutual accountability and partnership, intending to ensure no person with TB is left undiagnosed. Officials thanked partners, including the Global Fund, for technical and financial support in this effort to end tuberculosis.
