Authors | Country or Continent | Recommendations |
---|---|---|
Togun et al.6 | UK, Africa | Noting differences between low- and high-income countries in TB priorities (active vs. latent TB), provision of health care services, and mechanisms for social protection, the global response should be comprehensive and long-term, increasing investments in research, innovative digital technology, and public health. |
Hogan et al.19 | Global | The most significant impact to increased mortality was the interruption to antiretroviral therapy for HIV, reductions in timely diagnosis and treatment of new cases for TB, and the interruption of planned net campaigns for malaria. |
Visca et al.20 | Global | With expected increases in TB incidence and mortality, ensuring high levels of adherence to TB treatment through digital innovation can minimize the burden on patients and the health care workforce. |
Adamu et al.31 | Africa | COVID-19 response strategies should shift from isolated programs to integrated health system interventions that are connected with existing programs in public and private sectors. |
Alene et al.32 | Global | Health systems should aim to maintain routine TB services during the COVID-19 pandemic and hence mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on TB prevention and control programs. |
Amimo et al.33 | Africa | Appropriate economic and epidemiological considerations are required to minimize hardships faced by vulnerable populations to access essential health care services for COVID-19 and other epidemic diseases. |
Bhargava and Shewade34 | India | Federal support is required to improve economic and nutrition livelihood through cash transfers, public distribution system of food, and high-quality community TB surveillance and clinical management. |
Bulled and Singer35 | South Africa | International cooperation and country-specific efforts that reflect local resources and needs are required to overcome significant public health risks by the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Dara et al.36 | Global | Complementary COVID-19 and TB responses, including capacity building, active surveillance and monitoring systems, and sustainable economic investment, have the potential to curb disease transmission. People-centered care models, digital technologies, and community-based services can be adapted for the COVID-19 and TB epidemics. |
Homolka et al.37 | Global | TB diagnostic and research infrastructures can be leveraged for SARS-CoV-2 testing and sequencing to examine virus evolution and diversity. High-quality management principles for TB/SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing must be followed to ensure validity, reduce biosafety hazards, and support TB diagnostic services. |
Jain et al.38 | India | Restructuring services—such as multimonth dispensing, video-supported therapy, and community-based services—can strengthen TB programs. |
Loveday et al.39 | South Africa | Integrating COVID-19 systems to support TB prevention and control can include developing a platform for public engagement on disease monitoring, strengthening contact tracing with GIS mapping, offering mobile- or video-supported counseling and clinical management, improving health information and surveillance systems, and increasing federal investment. |
McQuaid et al.40 | Global | To ensure continued access to person-centered TB care, sustainable funding, innovative digital technology, and robust community-based surveillance activities can be expanded to reduce the TB and COVID-19 burden. |
Mohammed et al.41 | Ethiopia | Continued investment in TB care and research activities is key to minimizing disruptions to health and research services. |
Mukwenha et al.42 | Zimbabwe | Through collaborations with local and international partners, Zimbabwe leaders can strengthen HIV/TB services by ensuring stockpile availability of diagnostic testing, disseminating accurate health information to TB patients, and adopting real-time surveillance systems. |
Papadimos et al.43 | Global | Deploying point-of-care diagnostics and focusing on telemedicine platforms (albeit challenges like suboptimal internet connectivity or insufficient encryption) have the potential to enhance screening efforts and prevent excess TB mortality. |
Sandy et al.44 | Zimbabwe | Urgent responses include increased funding for equipment (PPE, sputum containers), monthly medication supplies, and integrated TB/HIV programs that distribute appropriate health information. |
Saunders and Evans45 | Global | Integrated health care for TB and COVID-19, research investment, community mobilization, TB-specific social protection, and innovative digital technologies can strengthen TB control efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Zachariah et al.46 | Global | Skill-building trainings can support outbreak responses (from data collection to scientific writing) and surveillance programs. Investments in health research can strengthen health system resiliency with robust surveillance programs and a prepared workforce. |
Zhou et al.47 | South Africa | Services implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as GIS mapping, can be repurposed to strengthen TB control efforts. Reliable health care services for TB and COVID-19 patients are key to reducing stigma and building trust in health systems. |
Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease; GIS, geographic information systems; LMIC, low- and middle-income countries; PPE, personal protective equipment; SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.