Integrating Public Health, Gender and Human Rights(CRG).

PTTF has been registered as Trustee No. 3966 on 23rd June, 2010 in United Republic of Tanzania under the Trustees’ Incorporation Act (CAP. 318 R.E. 2002), and aligns itself with the STOP-TB, WHO, Ministry of Health and National TB and Leprosy Programme (NTLP) programme guidelines.

PTTF is dedicated to investigating and implement programmes which address the relationship between public health issues, particularly Tuberculosis (TB) and other lung diseases, and how they connect with human rights and gender equality (CRG).

Focus Areas

• Conduct CLM in collaboration with CBOs to identify risk, gaps and recommendations.
• Build awareness among community risk groups and KVPs on hygienic strategies to contain chronic infections – TB/HIV/SARS.
• Build awareness about the nexus between infectious and NCDs.
• Identify, and remove structural barriers to health & wellness focusing on TB/ HIV/ SARS.
• Identify the nexus between Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), community rights and gender in the workplace.
• Foster high-level tripartite dialogue on strengthening PPP approaches in multi-sectoral response to TB/ HIV/ SARS.
• Support NTLP/ NACP/ MoH/ OSHA/ PMO-LYED and others (such as Tanzania Parliamentary TB Caucus; Association of Private Health Facilities in Tanzania (APHFT), Contractors Association; Chamber of Mines) to address human rights and gender.
• Support private sector employers implementing CRG.
• Promote innovative prevention technologies such as self-test kits, PPEs, ventilation, sanitising/ WASH/ fitness/ First AID.
• Promote: Testing, Referrals, Networks and support, Treatment, Loss to follow, TB/ HIV/ SARS workplace intervention.
• Identify through CLM and other means best-practices in community interventions which will deliver high impact workplace intervention.

PTTF is a non-profit organisation focused on exploring the relationship between Public Health, Human Rights and Gender (CRG), while this relationship is being explored for various epidemics and public health challenges, the main focus for PTTF under the current strategic plan is Tuberculosis and other lung-health and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which relate with the TB epidemic.

Main areas of focus are HIV, diabetes, Covid and other Severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS), asthma, acute respiratory infections and others. PTTF conducts Community-led Monitoring (CLM), Community Rights and Gender (CRG) Assessments, Stigma Index Assessment, Provision of Technical Support and Capacity Building, Grant Applications and Implementation.

PTTF is focusing on the community and human rights of the TB/ex-TB mining Key and Vulnerable Populations (KVPs) and other KVPs in mining community and surrounding communities, families of TB/ex-TB miners/ex-miners, working miners, community members, their community-based organisations (CBOs) and other KVPs in mining areas.

What we do?

PTTF contributes to address the following barriers:

Gender

Gender inequalities often lead to unequal access to healthcare, education, and resources. This disproportionately affects women's health outcomes.

Human Rights

Human rights violations, such as discrimination or lack of autonomy though social and economic empowerment, can hinder access to healthcare services and contribute to poor public health.

Human Rights and NCDs/TB:

NCDs: Contribute to co-morbidites which underlie and drive the TB epidemic

Access to healthcare: A human right, yet many with NCDs or TB, particularly marginalized populations, face challenges accessing diagnosis, treatment, and quality care.

Discrimination: People with NCDs or TB often experience social stigma and discrimination, hindering their ability to seek and complete treatment. This can lead to isolation and mental health issues. Incarceration settings can be breeding grounds for TB transmission, with limited access to proper healthcare for prisoners.

PTTF main interventions:

Community engagement: Work with communities to empower women, girls and KVPs to make informed decisions about their health.

Data collection: Collect and disaggregate data by sex and KVP to identify and address gender disparities in health outcomes.

Gender-sensitive programs: Influence and promote design healthcare services that consider women's specific needs and address cultural barriers, and that of KVPs.

Advocacy: Raise awareness of human rights violations that affect public health, particularly those impacting women, girls and KVPs.

Community education: Combat stigma and raise awareness about NCDs, TB transmission, prevention, and treatment options.

Human rights-based approaches: Ensure access to quality healthcare for all, regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or legal status.

Investment in research and innovation: Understand the specific factors that contribute to NCD and TB vulnerability in women and marginalized populations.

International Efforts

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality), emphasize the importance of addressing these issues.

WHO's Gender, Equity, and Human Rights (GEHR) department works to integrate gender considerations into public health policies and programs.Useful links.

World Health Organization (WHO): Provides guidelines and resources for addressing gender and human rights issues in NCD and TB control programs.

Stop TB Partnership: Global movement working towards eliminating TB, with a focus on equity and human rights.

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Provides financial support for programs that integrate gender and human rights considerations.

The NCD Alliance: Global alliance working to combat NCDs and promote healthy lifestyles for all.

UN Women: Works to promote gender equality and empower women to make healthy choices and advocate for their rights regarding NCDs and TB.

The Union (The Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease): A global membership organization dedicated to ending tuberculosis and improving lung health. The Union works to ensure access to quality TB care, conducts research, and advocates for policies that address the social determinants of TB, including gender and human rights.