Quarterly Monitoring Report October-December 2015 Challenge TB - Vietnam Year 2

This report covers the APA1 ongoing activities implemented in October - December 2015. Sub-objective 2. Comprehensive, high-quality diagnostics was a key focus area during this quarter. Improved access to rapid drug resistance testing was achieved through the purchase of 20 new GeneXpert systems, installation, and operationalization with technical support from the CTB country team. Technical assistance was provided to cartridge supply, including quantification, forecasting, ordering, distribution, and other related activities. Additionally, technical support in bio-safety for laboratory renovation was provided to the three PMDT provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, and Ba Ria – Vung Tau. Sub-objective 3. Patient-centered care and treatment was also a significant area of focus. The introduction of a new TB drug, Bedaquiline (BDQ), was a major achievement during this quarter. The CTB and NTP jointly organized a launching session for the new TB drug and regimen for the treatment of drug-resistant TB in Vietnam on November 25, 2015. The event was attended by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Health, NTP, and international organizations. As of December 31, 2015, 3 XDR-TB patients had been screened and enrolled on a BDQ-containing treatment regimen. Sub-objective 5. Infection control was another key area of focus during this quarter. Improved TB-IC measures in health facilities were achieved through training on TB-IC for NTP and NAP staff in 3 more provinces, where TB and HIV services will be integrated at the district level. After the training, participants were asked to conduct a TB-IC assessment in their health facilities and develop TB-IC improvement plans based on the assessment results. Sub-objective 10. Quality data, surveillance, and M&E was also a significant area of focus during this quarter. In collaboration with VAAC and NTP, a needs assessment and situational assessment regarding the functioning of the HIV, TB-HIV reporting and recording systems was conducted by a CTB/KNCV consultant from October 5-9, 2015. This surveillance system assessment is a follow-up step after the recent assessment of HIV/TB collaboration and identification of barriers to care and the identification of strategies for further development and strengthening of comprehensive HIV-TB case management and control. The Year 2 workplan was approved in early November 2015, but implementation is delayed due to a recent revision of the workplan according to the new guidance in PEPFAR expenditure analysis report. The below table reports on APA1 ongoing activities based on the APA1 M&E. Sub-objective 1. Enabling environment was a key focus area during this quarter. Policy discussion with MOLISA was conducted, and the assessment result was disseminated with leaders of the Social protection department of MOLISA. Sub-objective 2. Comprehensive, high-quality diagnostics was a significant area of focus during this quarter. The training on-the-spot on chain analysis of diagnostic efforts according to diagnostic algorithms was conducted in combination with #3.2.1 for NTP staff in 3 provinces of Hanoi, HCMC, and Can Tho in December 2015. The assessment method was reported to NTP for reviewing and incorporating in M&E activity. Sub-objective 3. Patient-centered care and treatment was a major area of focus during this quarter. The advanced diagnostic algorithms were developed and included in the SOP guidelines in the introduction of new drugs (Bedaquiline) and new 9-month regimen for MDR-TB patients. Sub-objective 4. Infection control was another key area of focus during this quarter. Supervision visits were paid to 2 provinces (HCM city and Tien Giang) in November to assess the cartridge distribution and management capacity for the south region and revise the process and possibilities of relevant parties in terms of cartridge management at the south region. Sub-objective 5. Quality data, surveillance, and M&E was a significant area of focus during this quarter. Specimen referral system including OPCs was developed and implemented in the country.