Is a tuberculosis project whose acronym stands for “Strenghtenning Observed therapy Linking Up Community-based Integrated Outreach Networks for TB control ”

SOLUCION TB springs out of a collaborative effort between Project Concern International (PCI) and the state Baja California 's public sector health department / Instituto de Servicios de Salud Pública del Estado de Baja California (ISESALUD). The project goal is to strengthen the prevention and control portion of the tuberculosis ( TB ) program in the municipalities of Mexicali and Tijuana . This ambitious border health project began in October 2004 and will last 4 years. Funding for SOLUCION TB's activities has been provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development ( (USAID ).

In order to control and cure the disease, tuberculosis requires a 6 month cycle of uninterrupted treatment. Usually patients begin to feel better after a few weeks of treatment and in some cases this can lead them to stop treatment. SOLUCION TB will help in reaching an 85% TB cure rate as well as reducing the mortality rates and spread of the disease. Specialized community health workers will ‘directly observe' the intake of medication by patients throughout their treatment cycle. Direct observation contributes to a decrease in the abandonment of treatment.

The overall objectives of the project are to reduce the TB morbidity and mortality rates and to reduce the risk of infection. These objectives are in close alignment with the missions of ISESALUD TB Prevention and Control Program “to improve the quality of life for Baja California residents by preventing and controlling the disease and thereby reducing the risk of contracting and/or dying from tuberculosis. ”