SEARN-TB Hosted Webinar on Childhood TB Diagnosis and Treatment

The Southern and East African Regional Network for TB Control (SEARN-TB) hosted a webinar series on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of childhood Tuberculosis (TB). The event, organized by SEARN-TB Secretariat via zoom brought together experts and TB Program practitioners from WHO, TDR and Zambia National TB program.

The first session featured presentations by Dr. Sabine Verkuijl and Dr. Kerri Viney from WHO/GTB, which focused on diagnostic approaches, updates to the treatment of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB), and the implementation considerations for a 4-month regimen for non-severe TB among children. Their insights were both enlightening and practical, providing attendees with the latest advancements and strategies in the field.

Dr. Alan Kachuka from Zambia National TB Program shared their country’s experiences in developing national guidance and implementing the 4-month regimen for non-severe TB among children. This provided valuable lessons and best practices that could be adapted by other countries in the region.

The development of an implementation research (IR) package for the 4-month regimen was also discussed by Dr. Emmanuelle Papot from TDR. This session provided a comprehensive overview of the research and development process, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based approaches in TB management. She also discussed TDA4Child research package, an operational research initiative aimed at evaluating the performance, feasibility, acceptability, and impact of treatment decision algorithms for pulmonary TB in children under 10 years. The presentation underscored the critical need for tailored approaches to pediatric TB care.

A lively Q&A and discussion session followed, allowing participants to engage directly with the presenters and get deeper into the topics covered. This interactive session fostered a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging the exchange of ideas and experiences.

The SEARN TB Webinar Series continued to be an opportunity, providing a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, and the advancement of TB control efforts in the Southern and East African region.