To better measure the impact of efforts to reduce the burden of tuberculosis (TB) and end the TB epidemic by 2030, we must more effectively harness the power of data.

Regionally, it’s time to develop and put in place case-based reporting of TB as a priority. This will generate high-quality data that national TB programmes can use to make evidence-based decisions. Moving from paper-based to digital systems will also strengthen TB surveillance.

To support such efforts, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean has organized a regional training workshop. This will take place from 18 to 21 September 2023 in Amman, Jordan.

The workshop will help countries and territories of the Region build their capacities to employ case-based surveillance for TB and to analyse and use routine TB monitoring data.

Support for at-risk populations

The workshop will serve all populations in the Region that are affected by or at risk of TB. It will help participants to tailor TB prevention and care, as well as public health activities, according to need.

Taking part will be managers of national TB programmes and monitoring and evaluation focal points from Afghanistan, Djibouti, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, the occupied Palestinian territory, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

Support for this Regional Office event comes from WHO headquarters and the country offices, as well as partners such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the International Organization for Migration.

Workshop aims and objectives

The main aim is to enable participants to monitor and analyse data more effectively, to support evidence-based decision-making. Participants will hear about novel points in the new WHO “Consolidated guidance on tuberculosis surveillance”. They can also try out a digital surveillance package for aggregate and case-based TB data.

Using DHIS2 will be the simplest way for countries and territories to move to a case-based surveillance system. The training will also help programme administrators to develop a roadmap for country transition to a digital case-based system, tailored to a country or territory’s needs.

The workshop’s objectives are to:

share the updated indicators and key innovations in the new guidance

highlight the essential tools that the new guidance recommends

analyse subnational TB data using the DHIS2 package

assess the gaps in national TB surveillance systems, with a focus on meeting the new guidance

confirm subnational variation and the need for programme adaptations based on local TB data

explain how to develop a national plan for case-based TB surveillance.