KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Netherlands

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation (KNCV) was founded in 1903 in The Hague. It is a national and international center of expertise for TB control and a medical development organization. The organization is committed to reducing tuberculosis in the Netherlands worldwide, in around forty countries. It does so by means of policy development, technical assistance, advisory services, training programs, capacity building, as well as epidemiological and operational research. KNCV is active in the following areas: policy development, multi-drug resistant TB, human resource development, research and advocacy.

Main activities
The mission of KNCV is to eliminate tuberculosis worldwide through the development and implementation of effective strategies to fight the disease. For the national fight against TB in The Netherlands, KNCV has the role of: coordinator, center of expertise and advocate. As an international medical development organization, KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is:

• at the forefront of TB control and policy development;
• committed to reducing tuberculosis worldwide;
• a partner in development of the “DOTS” method and the StopTB strategy; and
• an advisor to National TB control Programs to attain “Quality DOTS“ in collaboration with long-standing partners in around forty countries.

Links to the health workforce crisis

To implement a successful National Tuberculosis Program requires sufficient well-qualified and motivated personnel who have access to the necessary equipment and facilities. KNCV believes Human Resources are a critical factor to the success of any TB control program. The Human Resources Development (HRD) plan forms an integral part of the 5 years TB strategy. Aspects for consideration are: staffing (supply, workload and skills mix), performance management (job descriptions, appraisals, development and incentives), and education and training. On request, KNCV provides support to National Tuberculosis Programs in developing and implementing their own Human Resources Development Policy. The HRD consultants of KNCV work in 15 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Netherlands. The support provided by the HRD consultant is long term, as continuity is crucial in HRD interventions.