In Vietnam, a high-burden tuberculosis (TB) country, more than 70% of the estimated childhood TB cases go undetected. USAID supported Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis Program to develop and put into place a standard operating procedure on screening children for TB as part of their routine examinations at pediatric medical facilities nationwide. The procedure standardizes implementation processes and training materials, provides technical assistance, and improves diagnostic and treatment options for children with TB.
The new standardized procedure is essential for reducing gaps in detecting and reporting childhood TB cases, contributing to Vietnam’s goal of ending TB by 2035. [USAID Support to End Tuberculosis project]