The program on the management of tuberculosis among immigrants utilizes several designs. One of them is the human based design, which considers individuals as belonging to a community. These individuals interact with each other and may thus benefit each other directly or indirectly. However, individuals in a community can also be a source or point of transmission of diseases to other populations. The other design/strategy adopted by the program is to consider the geography and environment in which individuals live. Both the human and physical environments may provide either opportunities or risks for program implementation. The design and implementation of any health program must have provision for adaptation of the initiative to the socioeconomic and cultural groups. The collection and inhabitation of specific places by people of low-income status makes such people vulnerable especially to communicable diseases like tuberculosis. This is true because tuberculosis have been found to be more prevalent among the densely populated areas, whose most residents are those in the lower socioeconomic class.
Lack of an appropriate infrastructure and technology can derail the implementation of the program. The program may need the right number of fixed assets and technology-endowed system to ensure apt implementation. A good program should be needs based. The ideology behind the design of this program is based on a needs and problem analysis. This is a plus on the program design and is a potential facilitator of its implementation. However, one of the problems is to make the program attractive and more relevant to the target group.
Adoption of the program idea and design is important for the successful realization of its objectives. Thus, target households, local community, and local government need to adopt and support its implementation. This program is based on analysis of the problems faced by immigrants as well as the risk they pose to the natives. Thus, the local government, and the state would easily adopt this program.
Managerial and leadership aptitude can spearhead the implementation of any program. The program aims to develop and improve the skills of program managers to effectively and ethically operate on the right environment for sustainable implementation of the program. This program will aim to develop attractive approaches especially for the low socioeconomic group.
Program design and implementation comes along with a heavy financial implication. Adequate funding ensures timely and ample supply of resources during the implementation process. Financial support of the program would be encouraged from both private and public agencies. Other community-based initiatives may also act as financiers of the program. However, one of the strengths of this program is that the implementation budget is manageable by the stakeholders.
Besides, implementation of the program needs to balance between implementing evidence-based approaches and promoting an approach that addresses the needs and problems of the community. However, both approaches are not mutually exclusive. A working partnership should be formed among the program managers and the target community. Active participation by the stakeholders including involvement in training and provision of support services is a positive push to success of program implementation.
Coetzee, Fried-land, and Harries (2007) indicate that better coordination and control of activities among stakeholders especially community leaders, organizations, and policy makers among others is paramount for effective program implementation. In addition, the austere evaluation methodology can help one to know whether a certain approach is working or not. Lastly, the time delay between documentation and adoption should be reduced through fine monitoring, efficient organizational system, capacity building of program staff, and prompt management of arising issues.
References
Coetzee, D., Fried-land, G., & Harries, A. (2007). Implementation Issues In Tuberculosis/HIV Program Collaboration And Integration: 3 Case Studies. The Journal of Infectious Diseases , 114-123.
Maloney. (2006). Assessing the performance of overseas tuberculosis screening programs: a study among US bound emigrants in Vietnam. Retrieved January 5, 2013, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: < http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16432095>
O'Connell, M., Boat, T., & Warner, K. (Eds.). (2009, March). Preventing mental, emotional and behavioral disorders among young people. Retrieved January 5, 2013, from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK32764
Shehu, Z., & Akintoye, A. (2009). Major challenges to the successful implementation and practice of program management in the construction environment: A critical analysis. International Journal of Project Management , 26-39.
