The Lancet
Jun 19, 2010  Volume 375  Number 9732  Pages 2121 – 2192
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/current

Series
Health-system strengthening and tuberculosis control
Rifat Atun, Diana EC Weil, Mao Tan Eang, David Mwakyusa

Weak health systems are hindering global efforts for tuberculosis care and control, but little evidence is available on effective interventions to address system bottlenecks. This report examines published evidence, programme reviews, and case studies to identify innovations in system design and tuberculosis control to resolve these bottlenecks. We outline system bottlenecks in relation to governance, financing, supply chain management, human resources, health-information systems, and service delivery; and adverse effects from rapid introduction of suboptimum system designs.

Scale-up of services and research priorities for diagnosis, management, and control of tuberculosis: a call to action
Ben J Marais, Mario C Raviglione, Peter R Donald, Anthony D Harries, Afranio L Kritski, Stephen M Graham, Wafaa M El-Sadr, Mark Harrington, Gavin Churchyard, Peter Mwaba, Ian Sanne, Stefan HE Kaufmann, Christopher JM Whitty, Rifat Atun, Alimuddin Zumla

The Millennium Development Goal target for tuberculosis control is to halt the spread of tuberculosis by 2015, and begin to reverse the worldwide incidence. After the introduction of standard control practices in 1995, 36 million people were cured and about 6 million deaths were averted. However, substantial scientific advances and innovative solutions are urgently needed together with creative new strategies. Strong international and national political commitment is essential. Urgent action is needed by national governments to fund their own programmes, and for the G8 countries and other donor governments and organisations to support governmental and non-governmental efforts.