
TB/MDR-TB project
The ICN TB/MDR-TB Project aims to build global nursing capacity in the prevention, care and treatment of TB. This is achieved by training experienced nurses to cascade information to nursing colleagues and other health workers with the purpose of making improvements to patient care delivery. The practice-oriented nature of our training programme enables nurses to improve the implementation of policies and guidelines relating to TB and MDR-TB using a patient-centred approach. The project has been part of the Eli Lilly MDR-TB Partnership since 2005. The training courses are run in countries with a high burden of TB and MDR-TB where ICN has a strong working relationship with the national nurses association.
The ICN TB/MDR-TB Project has trained 2,318 nurses through the Training for Transformation (TFT) courses in 17 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Russian Federation since 2005. These nurses have in turn rolled out the training to more than 179,300 nurses, doctors, allied health workers and community members – which equates to each nurse training approximately 78 additional people.
Download the Tuberculosis/Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis Project 2005-2020 report here
IMPACT OF THE PROJECT
- Increased confidence among nurses trained
- Increased nurse leadership
- Increased knowledge about TB/MDR-TB – 24% increase on post-test
- Decrease in stigma towards patients
- Impact on patient care
- Improved psychosocial support to patients
- Improved education to patients and family members
- Improvements made to infection control
Read an article on the Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing on the impact of the ICN TB project in China here
QUOTES FROM NURSES ON THE PROJECT
“I have been empowered with knowledge to help me contribute towards improving the care of TB patients.” (Ms Chikumbi, Zambia)
“This training is helpful to my work as TB nurse, I had a lot of deficits on delivery of care (best practice/standards), but I am now confident of what to do to improve lives of individuals including their families.” (Ms Msukwa, Malawi)
Free resources:
- The Union’s Best Practice for the Care of Patients with Tuberculosis; A guide for Low Income Countries - second edition 2017 (English, Chinese, Russian, Spanish and French)
- On-line course: Care, prevention and management of tuberculosis (TB)
- Mobile app of the Nursing Guide for Managing Side Effects to Drug-resistant TB Treatment. The app is currently available in English and is available on both Google Play and the Apple App store.
Key Documents

Tuberculosis/Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis Project 2005-2020 report
Download (12 MB)
Nursing Guide for Managing Side Effects to Drug-resistant TB Treatment
Download (1 MB)
TB GUIDELINES for Nurses in the Care and Control of Tuberculosis and Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis 3rd Edition
Download (2 MB)
РУКОВОДЯЩИЕ ПРИНЦИПЫ ТБ КОНТРОЛЯ для медсестер в системе ухода и лечения больных туберкулезом и туберкулезом с множественной лекарственной устойчивостью
Download (2 MB)
TB GUIDELINES for Nurses in the Care and Control of Tuberculosis and Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis 3rd Edition - CHINESE
Download (483 KB)
Guía de enfermería para el manejo de efectos secundarios en el tratamiento de la tuberculosis farmacorresistente
Download (1 MB)
Guide des soins infirmiers pour la prise en charge des effets secondaires du traitement de la tuberculose pharmacorésistante
Download (1 MB)
耐药结核 治疗副作用管理 护理指南
Download (1 MB)
Guia de enfermagem para o manejo dos efeitos colaterais no tratamento da TB resistente a medicamentos
Download (3 MB)
Panduan Keperawatan untuk Manajemen Efek Samping Pengobatan Tuberkulosis Resistan Obat
Download (1 MB)
Справочник медсестры по устранению побочных эффектов антибиотикотерапии резистентных форм ТБ
Download (3 MB)
Risk Reduction and Inter-professional Collaboration for TB Infection Control: Information and Action Toolkit for those involved in TB worldwide - ENGLISH
Download (2 MB)
Risk Reduction and Inter-professional Collaboration for TB Infection Control: Information and Action Toolkit for those involved in TB worldwide- CHINESE
Download (385 KB)
Risk Reduction and Inter-professional Collaboration for TB Infection Control: Information and Action Toolkit for those involved in TB worldwide- RUSSIAN
Download (876 KB)

