Quarterly Performance Report No. 5: October to December 2010, Greater Mekong Sub-Region Responses to Infectious Diseases Project

The project aims to strengthen effective regional, national, and local responses to avian and pandemic influenza, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The estimated budget for the project is $4.4 million for the period from September 16, 2009, to September 15, 2014. To achieve the project's goal, three objectives have been set: to strengthen capacity for cross-border collaboration on surveillance and response for significant infectious diseases in the GMS through multi-sectoral partnerships; to address the potential for emergence, spread, and intensification of drug resistance by developing innovative approaches to control, contain, and possibly eliminate the pathogen; and to strengthen capacity for infectious disease prevention and control in the GMS through expanded involvement of the private sector. The project will achieve these objectives by establishing effective and sustainable mechanisms for international dialogue for the prevention and control of communicable diseases, including cross-border planning and activities in key cross-border provincial sites in the GMS. Mechanisms will also be established for monitoring and analyzing the situation of mobile and migrant populations and risk associated with acquiring avian influenza, malaria, TB, and other infectious diseases. Results of pilot malaria elimination initiatives and good practices in Thailand will be documented and disseminated, and annual learning exchange meetings will be conducted with the Burma Border Malaria Task Force with representation by cross-border non-governmental organizations. In the first quarter of FY 2011, K.I.Asia will continue to support coordination among GMS countries for cross-border collaboration on infectious/zoonotic disease surveillance and response among China, Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Strategically located provinces with international border land crossing points of entry are targeted for support. The project has identified several cross-border sites, including Mengla County in China, Luang Nam Tha in Lao PDR, and Chiang Rai in Thailand. In Quarter 1 (October – December 2010), the project implemented several activities, including a writeshop for re-formulation of Thailand's Master Plan for Border Health Development for 2012-2016. The writeshop was organized by the Bureau of Policy and Strategy with participants from a wide range of organizations involved in public health in Thailand. The workshop successfully used a consensus process to mobilize stakeholder input to address the strategic issues related to border and migrant health. The six strategies of Thailand's Border Health Master Plan and implementation of activities were reviewed, gaps were identified, and recommendations made for revising each strategy for the up-coming five-year plan. Priorities specified in the draft plan include focus on potential transboundary outbreaks of infectious diseases, developing systems for surveillance and response, patient referral, developing manuals, reporting forms, and mechanisms for ID information exchange in border areas.