Annual Report: Uzbekistan Year 1 (October 1, 2011 – February 29, 2012)

In Year 1, TB CARE I worked in eight technical areas, with a focus on providing equitable access to quality and timely diagnosis and treatment for multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB patients. The project aimed to contribute to the expansion of MDR TB services in Karakalpakstan and Tashkent, as well as the introduction of new concepts and models into the national strategies. TB CARE I also planned to work with partners to mobilize additional resources for the procurement of second-line TB drugs. However, due to pending office registration in Uzbekistan, TB CARE I had limited presence in the country and covered only four out of eight technical areas in the first year. The technical areas covered in Uzbekistan included Universal and Early Access, Laboratories, Infection Control, and Health Systems Strengthening. Key achievements in these areas included the participation of a TB pediatrician from the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) in a training course on TB in children in Latvia, and the assessment of TB infection control in TB facilities in Tashkent city and other regions. The project also aimed to improve the management capacity of the NTP and Prison Service to provide quality TB care and treatment. TB CARE I planned to provide technical assistance at the national level and in Tashkent and Karakalpakstan regions, and to assist the NTP in the development of a Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) proposal and its implementation. However, due to the delay in registration, some activities were postponed or cancelled, including the implementation of activities in the areas of TB/HIV, Monitoring and Evaluation, Surveillance and Operations Research, and Drug supply and management. The overall work plan completion was 58%. TB CARE I proposed to provide technical assistance at the national level and in Tashkent and Karakalpakstan regions to improve the management capacity of the NTP and Prison Service to provide quality TB care and treatment. The project aimed to strengthen the capacity of the NTP to utilize other funding sources, such as GFATM, and to provide assistance to the NTP in the development of a GFATM proposal and its implementation. The project also aimed to improve laboratory strategic planning capacity, management of laboratory services, and infection control in TB facilities. Key achievements in these areas included the development of a national laboratory strategic plan and the assessment of TB infection control in TB facilities in Tashkent city and other regions. However, due to pending registration, some activities were not fully covered, including the implementation of activities in the areas of Universal Access, TB/HIV, Monitoring and Evaluation, Surveillance and Operations Research, and Drug supply and management. The project will continue to work in Uzbekistan through its partner WHO during the second year of the project.