Nigeria has one of the lowest tuberculosis (TB) case detection rates in the world, with only 24% of cases being reported to the National TB and Leprosy Control Program. Breakthrough ACTION learned that patent and proprietary medicine vendors (PPMVs) are often the first points of contact in clients’ long treatment journeys due to proximity and low cost. One of the solutions being implemented in Nigeria is a simplified referral process where clients are referred by PPMVs for TB testing at a health facility. PPMVs keep ready-to-use referral slips attached to their calculators or calendar, two items that are constantly in use by PPMVs. The referral slips do not have to be filled out and do not require record-keeping. This Nigeria Tuberculosis Spotlight provides an overview of how Breakthrough ACTION applied the SBC Flow Chart to develop these solutions.
