The global response to TB has evolved over time since the development of the first DOTS strategy in 1994. Overtime, all care providers, including private health sector, have been recognised as key in addressing the TB burden given that patients seek services from all providers. The current End TB Strategy lays emphasis on finding missing TB cases (among other strategies) in order to end TB as a public health threat by 2030. Engagement of private healthcare providers has gained importance as some of the missing cases are likely to be outside the public health system.  Private healthcare providers are diverse. They include not-for profit healthcare providers (faith-based and nongovernmental organisations); for-profit health care providers ranging from large hospitals, clinics, individual doctor practices (solo practices), pharmacies and stand-alone laboratories; and traditional healers as informal private

healthcare providers. 

The objectives of this study were two-fold:

1. To conduct an assessment of the level of engagement of private sector, NGO’s, Faith Based clinics and hospitals, and public-private collaboration in SADC countries on TB control and identify opportunities, risks, challenges and key strategic priorities to further expand private sector support to TB prevention and care. 

2. To provide recommendations on the development of a regional strategy for private sector engagement in TB control based on identified opportunities and lessons learnt.

The study was carried out in Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi and Lesotho. Thematic areas covered by this study were regulatory environment, models of private healthcare providers’ engagement, incentives and enablers, financing, capacity building, TB services provided by private healthcare providers, coordination, communication and advocacy, monitoring and evaluation and risks.