Today, the number of people diagnosed with tuberculosis in Norway is quite low- less than 200 per year. A well-functioning screening system for new arrivals from high – burden countries is in place, and diagnostics and medical follow up is good. Still, some people with tuberculosis experience delayed diagnosis, and long hospitalization - often in isolation -is a challenge.
LHL International have over the years had many projects in Norway, mostly with the support of Oslo Municipality, Foundation Dam, and different trust funds. The goal is that both health workers and patients have the required knowledge about tuberculosis, and that there is no more fear and stigma related to the disease.
We have regular trainings and meetings with health workers, including tuberculosis coordinators, the Diagnostic Center for tuberculosis at Ullevål hospital, home based care, prison health care and organizations that work with people at risk of tuberculosis. Our videos and brochures are available for everyone for free and can be found here.
Our peers are persons that themselves have had tuberculosis. Their experiences and their knowledge about how it is to have tuberculosis can be very valuable for people that are just diagnosed or having a hard time going through the long treatment. The peers can visit patients in the hospital or meet over a coffee just to chat.
Do you want to get in contact with a peer, click here.
LHL International work closely with tuberculosis coordinators, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and the Directorate of Health and help shape the Norwegian tuberculosis program and the content of the national tuberculosis guide. We are also currently chairing the national tuberculosis committee, and are part of the technical expert group for drug resistant tuberculosis. It is important for us to ensure the patient perspective in these forums; examples of this are monitoring treatment by video (video-DOT) and psychosocial screening and follow up.
