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

The project is supported by the USAID and is implemented by the KNCV Representative Office in Central Asia. In the first year of the project, TB CARE I was implemented in three Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. The project focuses on eight technical areas: Universal Access, Laboratories, Infection Control, Programmatic Management of Drug Resistant TB (PMDT), TB/HIV, Health System Strengthening, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Drug Supply Management. The project is implemented in key geographic areas of Kyrgyzstan, including the capital city Bishkek and Issyk-Kul oblast. TB CARE I collaborated with various government bodies and international organizations, including the National TB programs, Ministries of Health, Internal Affairs, Justice, Labor and Social Defense, Prison Service, and international organizations such as USAID Dialogue on TB/HIV and Quality Healthcare Projects. In the Universal Access technical area, TB CARE I developed the National TB program for 2012-2016, conducted a round table to promote dialogue between Ministries and other national and international partners, and provided assistance in developing the National Laboratory Plan. In the Laboratories technical area, TB CARE I conducted a review of TB laboratory service, developed the National Laboratory Guideline, and adapted laboratory recording and reporting forms. In the Infection Control technical area, TB CARE I conducted an assessment of TB IC in project sites and developed a draft IC-TB guideline. In the PMDT technical area, TB CARE I established a TWG on the development of protocols on TB in children and organized several meetings to draft protocols. In the TB/HIV technical area, TB CARE I drafted the National Strategic TB/HIV plan in collaboration with state, international, and non-governmental organizations. In the Health System Strengthening technical area, TB CARE I organized a workshop on patient support system to promote dialogue between government institutions, international, and national organizations. TB CARE I also worked on Monitoring and Evaluation, providing technical assistance for the development of a consolidated action plan for improving the surveillance system. The project achieved significant progress in various technical areas, with completion rates ranging from 69% to 100%. The project also collected baseline data for TB CARE I indicators, including TB cases in migrants, laboratory plan development, infection control ratio, MDR TB cases put on treatment, and default rate among TB patients. The data showed that TB cases in migrants were reported to the NTP among the total number of TB patients, with Bishkek reporting 9.2% and Issyk-Kul reporting 6.3%. The laboratory plan was drafted and submitted to the NTP, and the infection control ratio was 98.2 per 100,000 in healthcare staff. The project also made significant progress in PMDT, with 62% coverage by Second-Line Drugs and 792 MDR TB cases diagnosed and put on treatment. In TB/HIV, the National Strategic Plan on TB/HIV collaborative activities was drafted and will be finalized and discussed with partners. Overall, TB CARE I made significant progress in the first year of the project, achieving completion rates ranging from 69% to 100% in various technical areas. The project also collected baseline data for TB CARE I indicators, which will be used to measure the project's contribution to the targets.