Biography
Erman Varella has dedicated professional with over 19 years of experience in HIV and
Tuberculosis (TB) programs, specializing in community engagement and
patient empowerment, capacity building, HIV and TB case management,
mobilizing communities for case holding and active case finding, capacity
building, training, as well as advocacy at National and local level. Skilled in
providing technical services to provider services in TB, HIV, and TB-Drug
Resistance as well as the community based organizations.
Key Impacts
Cracking the code: How local leadership and smart collaboration boosted contact investigation and TB prevention in Indonesia
Strong local leadership, regular data validation, and stakeholder coordination were key to improving CI and TPT performance. Tailoring interventions to district contexts and ensuring alignment among multiple partners enhanced efficiency. This collaborative model is being scaled up to 229 districts in 2025 to support Indonesia’s TB elimination goals.
Source: Conference 2024
Improving tuberculosis knowledge among community health cadres through national training: Evidence from pre- and post-test evaluation in 229 districts in Indonesia
The national TB cadre training program significantly improved participant knowledge, particularly in CI and TPT. Nonetheless, targeted reinforcement in cadres’ roles and reporting procedures is warranted. Continuous mentoring and periodic refinement of training modules are recommended to further strengthen cadre competencies and support TB control efforts.
Source: Conference 2024
Addressing TB-related stigma through community engagement and social protection
Impact details available upon request.
Source: Conference 2024