Background
Given the call to end TB by 2030, it is key to train communities and civil society organizations on the key role that they can play in eradicating the disease. This is why MUKIKUTE has taken the initiative to tailor-make programs and training that mobilize communities and capacitate them on how to handle TB cases in a community setup. This training goes a long way in helping equip members of the communities will key essential skills on how to identify, manage and report cases of TB patients. The training and programs have led to TB survivors forming a community where they share their lived experiences. Such trainings include:
• Basic TB community care
• TB and Gender
• Comprehensive harm reduction training
• Income-generating skills training
• Fraud and Anti-Corruption
• Inclusive health communication
• Safeguarding policies
• Community Rights and Gender
Mukikute recognizes that Economic inequality and lack of access to sustainable livelihoods are contributing factors to sexual risk and poor health-seeking behaviours, particularly among young women and TB and HIV patients in general.
Mukikute programs welcome vulnerable populations within its programs to benefit from skills training and start-up capital and link them to community-based loans and savings to meet their immediate business and household needs. To date, more than 300 men and women have benefited from such programs with support from our partners. In 2023 alone, IGA groups that were formed by women were trained and received start-up capital. The group include Mukikute Kizuiani, Mbagala Rangi Tatu and Wailesi-II.
Mukikute promotes CLM interventions as a strategy to improve the effectiveness, quality and accessibility of TB and HIV programmes and health in general. Our members and staff implement CLM interventions to empower communities affected by TB and HIV to access the services they need. From the efforts, we anticipate that the capacity of our members to engage at sub-national levels will increase.