Annual Report: TB CARE I in Cambodia, Year 1 (October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011)

The program is led by FHI360, Japan Anti TB Foundation (JATA), the Netherlands TB Foundation (KNCV), Management Sciences for Health (MSH), and the World Health Organization (WHO), with JATA as the lead partner. The program is guided by the National Strategic Plan for TB Control 2011-2015 and USAID's TB strategy. In 2011, TB CARE I launched its activities in Cambodia with an obligated amount of around US$ 1.7 million from USAID. The program focused on technical assistance at the national level, collaboration with other USAID-funded TB partners, introduction of innovations and pilot projects, and scaling up initiatives piloted through previous TB CAP projects. Each partner implemented activities related to their interests or areas of expertise, covering a large part of the country. TB CARE I achieved several highlights in 2011, focusing on seven technical areas. In Universal and Early Access, the program drafted guidelines and standard operating procedures for active case finding, initiated active case finding for TB among irregular migrants, and expanded childhood TB pilot sites to five additional operational districts. TB/HIV services in prisons were expanded to three new sites, and a web-based SMS alert system for delivery of lab test results was developed. In Laboratories and improved diagnosis, TB CARE I provided technical assistance for the national TB lab strategic plan, procured two Genexpert machines and cartridges, and trained lab technicians for its use. The program also drafted an algorithm for Genexpert and proposed revisions to recording and reporting forms to include information on Genexpert. Pilot expansion of LED microscopy network was conducted, with 9 provinces starting to use LED fluorescence microscopy. TB CARE I also contributed to the revision of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) guidelines, which will include TB and HIV in the protocol for the first time. The program participated in meetings and shared its expertise with partners to facilitate the introduction of new diagnostic tools and concepts. Overall, TB CARE I's activities in 2011 aimed to improve TB diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in Cambodia, with a focus on universal and early access, laboratories, and TB/HIV services.