Publications

This parliamentary briefing provides an overview of the TB burden in Africa, highlighting the disproportionate burden on men and the broader impact on communities. It outlines actionable recommendations for policymakers, focusing on gender-responsive TB policies, increased awareness, strengthened partnerships, and sustainable funding to enhance equitable access to TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Read more:

Irrigation farming has raised concerns about the steady transmission and introduction of new vector-borne infectious diseases (VBD) in the areas involved. This systematic review aimed to determine interventions that are effective for the management and control of VBDs in irrigation areas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We searched the literature on VBD interventions in SSA from published and grey literature without specifying the publication year. A search strategy identified 7768 records from various databases, and after screening, 16 were included in the final analysis. Results showed various VBD control interventions were effective, including indoor residue spray (IRS), insect-treated nets (ITN), larva […]

This policy brief presents findings from a systematic review of interventions to manage vector-borne diseases (VBDs) in irrigation farming across sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights evidence of reduced vector densities, disease risk, and prevalence through approaches such as integrated vector management (IVM), larval source management, indoor residual spraying, long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, mollusciciding, biological control, and mass drug administration. The brief underscores the feasibility of integrating these interventions into irrigation schemes even post-construction, demonstrating both health and agricultural productivity benefits for surrounding communities. Download:

This policy brief presents key findings from a desk review on the integration of vector control in Malawi’s large-scale irrigation schemes. It reveals limited emphasis on water-based vector-borne diseases in national policies, a lack of coordination among key sectors such as health, agriculture, and water, and insufficient community engagement in disease prevention efforts. The brief outlines evidence-based recommendations to address these gaps and promote effective multi-sectoral collaboration. Download:

This policy brief is part of a collection written by National Tuberculosis Programmes demonstrating strengthened capacity for evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) supported by the LIGHT research programme. To achieve substantial reduction in the TB incidence, Uganda needs to implement innovative approaches that integrate TB case-finding and prevention services delivered with high coverage and intensity in high burdened communities. The NTLP in Uganda’s Ministry of Health (MoH) has implemented several initiatives to enhance TB case-finding such as the active case-finding toolkit at health facilities and community awareness, screening, testing, treatment and prevention of TB (CAST-TB) campaigns. Read more:

This policy brief is part of a collection written by National Tuberculosis Programmes demonstrating strengthened capacity for evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) supported by the LIGHT research programme. In Nigeria, the major driving factors for TB includes undernourishment, HIV, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol use disorder, with undernourishment topping the list and driving of the cases. Poverty is the major underlying cause of the undernourishment.  Provision of food and cash transfers have been shown to improve adherence to TB treatment, which leads to better treatment outcomes and reduction in disease transmission. Read more:

This policy brief is part of a collection written by National Tuberculosis Programmes demonstrating strengthened capacity for evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) supported by the LIGHT research programme. Kenya has made significant strides in reducing TB deaths by 44% compared to 2015, surpassing its target of 35% by 2021. Despite these gains, there’s been a decline in TB treatment coverage from 63% in 2018 to 59% in 2021. An effective supply chain management system ensures a consistent and uninterrupted supply of TB medications and commodities. It ensures timely and accurate distribution of TB commodities while preventing stock-outs or shortages. Read more:

This policy brief is part of a collection written by National Tuberculosis Programmes demonstrating strengthened capacity for evidence-informed decision-making (EIDM) supported by the LIGHT research programme. In Malawi, the reliance on paper-based system makes documentation of cases cumbersome and time-consuming. Achieving the goal of ending TB by 2030 requires systems and processes that allow the gathering of the required patient data for effective programmatic decisions. Read more:

Check out LIGHT’s Annual Newsletter 2023-2024 to explore some of the key activities and highlights the LIGHT Consortium teams have been carrying out over the past year- from research and research uptake to capacity strengtheing- with impact aspirations and achievemnets. Read or download here:

To complement the quantitative and modeling research, the LIGHT Consortium utilised qualitative participatory action research methods in partner countries to actively engage communities affected by TB in data collection, analysis, dissemination and dialogue with decision makers. These communities included individuals with lived experiences, their caregivers, family members, and healthcare workers.  This participatory approach has been instrumental in co-creating solutions, shaping and informing person-centred, gender-responsive approaches to TB prevention and care. By involving communities directly, the consortium has highlighted the value of participatory methods in addressing complex issues including challenges of TB care across diverse settings. This engagement also strengthened understanding […]

From 2017 to 2020, Rwanda’s current Gross Domestic Product (GDP) showed a positive trend, rising from 882 billion USD to 919 billion USD in 2019-20. Over the same period, regarding healthcare financing, Rwanda’s Total Health Expenditure (THE) witnessed a steady increase over the three years under review. Additionally, THE as a percentage of GDP also demonstrated an upward trajectory, reflecting the country’s commitment to healthcare investment. Furthermore, Rwanda’s per capita THE in USD exhibited an upward trend over the same period. Download the evidence brief  to read more on the findings.  

Kenya’s policies guide the delivery of people-centred healthcare, including TB prevention and care, through the Primary Health Care Networks comprising a primary health care referral facility (hub) and several other primary health care facilities (spokes). Person-centredness is about focusing care on the needs of people and providing care that is respectful of and responsive to individuals and communities affected by TB. However, most people with TB, who access health services in Kenya, are widely managed the same way with no attempt to distinguish care according to their circumstances.   Read more: