Customized TB case finding among key affected populations: a case of farm workers in Sarah Baartman District, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Lessons learnt

Successes

• Improved access to TB health services among farm workers
• Increase TB case finding among farm workers
• >90% screening, testing and treatment initiation rate
• Buy-in from farm owners/management
• Signed MOU for strengthened partnership between Eastern Cape Department of Health and the farming community

Challenges

• Limited resources to support many farms

Conclusion 

Targeted intervention models with active participation from all stakeholders enhance accessibility to adequate TB diagnosis and treatment among underserved populations and communities. 

The model increased case identification and is a viable approach to find missing TB patients, to contribute to 90-90-90 targets, and to contribute towards the South Africa’s efforts to end TB by 2035.