Public-Private Mix (PPM) data dashboards for enhanced action and accountability to end TB

Engaging all health care providers through public-private mix (PPM) approaches is essential to reach the over 3 million people with tuberculosis (TB) who miss out on access to quality care each year, either due to under-reporting or under-diagnosis. Private sector health care providers and/or unengaged public sector health care providers, are often the first point of care for people with symptoms of TB. Engaging these care providers is therefore critical to close well-documented gaps in access to TB care and prevention services and is highlighted as a priority in the End TB Strategy and other commitments made by leaders.

Data collated and reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) has predominantly focused on provider contribution to TB notifications, although care may be provided across the patient pathway by private and unengaged public health providers. Studies have shown sub-optimal data quality in the private sector may be contributed by limited enforcement of mandatory notification; minimal use of recording and reporting (R&R) tools; use of digital systems not interoperable with government standardized systems; multiple providers including informal providers not using NTP standard R&R tools and PPM typology.

To address this gap and strengthen PPM monitoring, WHO with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BGMF), is working with seven PPM priority countries to help them streamline reporting of PPM data through enhanced dashboards. The countries include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines. PPM dashboard development is one of 10 priority actions outlined in the PPM roadmap: “Monitor progress and build accountability by continuously monitoring and evaluating the contributions of PPM, in relation to the specific objectives and targets set by the NTP”. The initiative, building on the experiences of the seven priority countries, will serve as a model for other countries to strengthen PPM monitoring.