SMILE OVC program uses targeted approach to boost TB case-finding among vulnerable children

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one million children (<15 years) currently suffer from tuberculosis (TB) worldwide, and more than 210,000 die each year. In 2016, leveraging the robust infrastructure and partnerships of a large, multi-sectoral orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) program called “SMILE”, CRS expanded the program’s core mandate to include community childhood TB case-finding, with a focus on highly vulnerable children and their caregivers. This brief provides learning from that effort.