The Report of Gap Analysis of TB-HIV Coinfection Management in Nepal (2023) by SPARSHA Nepal provides an extensive assessment of challenges and gaps in managing TB-HIV coinfection in Nepal. Through desk reviews, stakeholder meetings, and a dissemination workshop, the report examines the current landscape of TB-HIV services and highlights key challenges such as lack of coordination between the National Tuberculosis Control Center (NTCC) and the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC), limited access to Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy (TPT), and inadequate availability of diagnostic tools like CD4 count tests and LF-LAM antigens.
Stakeholder discussions included government agencies, NGOs, healthcare providers, and networks of People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Recommendations focused on improving diagnostic integration, resource allocation, and service accessibility, emphasizing the need for better collaboration, policy implementation, and advocacy efforts. The report underscores the importance of addressing systemic issues like stigma, procurement challenges, and regional disparities to enhance TB-HIV management and reduce mortality rates. The dissemination workshop concluded with actionable steps for future research, policy development, and integrated care models to effectively tackle TB-HIV coinfection in Nepal.
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