Since August 2023, KELIN has been supporting sixteen community TB Champions from eight counties[1] in Kenya to collect data and report human rights concerns related to TB response in the country using the One Impact Community Led Monitoring (CLM) Platform. Through this initiative, supported by Stop TB Challenge Facility for Civil Society Grant, the champions were trained on community led monitoring processes, defined key indicators on availability, accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare services for TB prevention and treatment as well as actively engaged in data collection[2] and reporting on human rights violations.
One Impact Community Led Monitoring (CLM) is the TB approach to community empowerment and participation, for rapid action and joint evidence-based decision- making for impact in TB response. It enables key populations affected by TB to access services, voice their opinions, raise concerns, co-create solutions with decision makers and advocate for change.
Using data reported by the TB Champions on the One Impact CLM platform as well as the results of the legal and human rights scorecard, KELIN commenced the process of developing the Shadow Report on the State of TB and human rights in Kenya between August 2023 and February 2024. The research revealed several violations of the right to health, including discrimination, breaches of privacy and confidentiality, stigma in workplaces, schools, and communities, lack of social protection, insufficient public participation, and denial of the right to information.
On the 4th of March 2024, KELIN subsequently hosted an Advocacy Forum, bringing together all the TB champions from the select eight counties[3] in Kenya, community health advocates and diverse Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to validate the findings of the Shadow Report on TB Response and develop a national advocacy plan. The Report will be critical in informing advocacy for a rights-based TB response in the country and for use as an advocacy tool during the World TB Day celebrations. Similarly, the national advocacy plan aims to drive policy change and improve TB care and support services nationwide.
The impact of One Impact CLM extends beyond mere advocacy. It serves as a catalyst for strengthening health and community systems ensuring the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of quality TB services. The platform also fosters collaboration between TB affected-communities health advocates and policy makers. Ultimately, this initiative aims to foster a rights-based, equitable and people-centered approach to combating TB, empowering affected communities, and driving evidence-based decision making for impactful change.
The final validated Shadow Report will be disseminated to policy makers during a national dialogue scheduled for March 2024 as part of advocacy efforts around World TB Day celebration.
For more information, please contact:
Pesa Okania | Programme Officer – HIV, TB and KAP
Kuwinda Lane, off Langata Road, Karen C
P O Box 112 – 00202 KNH Nairobi
Tel: 020- 2515790
E-mail: okaniapesa@kelinkenya.org
Website: www.kelinkenya.org
[1] The eight counties are: Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Homa Bay, Busia, Kajiado, Nandi, Makueni
[2] Tuberculosis (TB) and human rights violations related to it including issues such as denial of access to healthcare, discrimination against TB patients, TB drugs and commodities stock-outs, lack of adequate treatment and support, lack of knowledge and awareness and stigma associated with the disease.
