Structured performance monitoring of TB-care at facility, district and province levels - Pakistan experience.

Objective: To develop and evaluate a more structured process for effective tuberculosis control monitoring.

Methods: The quasi-experimental exploratory study was conducted from April 2007 to January 2008 in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Eight intervention districts were compared with eight control districts.

District level external quality assurance (EQA) of malaria microscopy in Pakistan: pilot implementation and feasibility.

Background: Prompt, quality assured laboratory diagnosis is key to effective malaria case management and control, especially since the introduction of the more expensive artemisinin combination therapy (ACT). The malaria programme and its non-government partners, on the basis of WHO recommended Lot Quality Assurance methods, have developed a district level external quality assurance (EQA) system. This study was designed to assess the feasibility, under programme conditions, of an integrated district level external quality assurance and supervision approach for malaria microscopy.