Training strategies practiced for TB elimination

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Control
• Human Resources for Health

Background:

• Training is essential for the success of public health programs, particularly for ambitious goals like ending Tuberculosis (TB).
• India's national TB program requires robust capacity building for its workforce to achieve elimination targets.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for adaptable and accessible training modalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present India's strategy for the capacity building of TB workers.
• To detail the various types of training required for TB control.
• To outline training initiatives undertaken at the National Tuberculosis Institute (NTI) over the past five years.

Main Methods:

• Review of India's national TB worker capacity-building strategy.
• Description of essential training components for TB programs.
• Documentation of training activities conducted at NTI.
• Analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on training delivery.

Main Results:

• The article outlines a comprehensive strategy for TB worker training in India.
• Specific training needs and types for effective TB control are identified.
• NTI's training programs over five years are cataloged.
• The shift towards digital and online training platforms, accelerated by COVID-19, is highlighted.

Conclusions:

• A well-structured training program is fundamental to achieving the End TB goal.
• Adaptation to digital platforms and online training is vital for sustained capacity building.
• Continuous evaluation and evolution of training strategies are necessary for public health programs.