Quarterly Report July-September 2011

The report, submitted on October 28, 2011, provides an overview of the progress made in various technical areas, including laboratories, infection control, and health systems strengthening. In the laboratories technical area, the National Lab Supervisor performed regular supervisions and quality control in the capital city of Djibouti, with 89% completion of the work plan. However, the supervisor was unable to carry out supervisory visits in the districts due to lack of transportation means, resulting in a 60% completion rate in this area. The National Reference Laboratory is expected to perform culture and DST starting from December 2011, following the procurement of reagents and culture media. The infection control technical area saw significant progress, with 92% completion of the work plan. The National TB Reference Centre and lab technicians received respirators for personal protection, and the Central Unit of the NTP has a sufficient supply of respirators for distribution and use by eligible health workers. In the health systems strengthening technical area, the update of the National TB control guidelines is the main activity of the quarter. The process is at its final stage, involving a review of existing treatment and diagnostic guidelines as well as new rapid diagnostic methods. The update aims to adopt new WHO treatment guidelines, including treatment of pediatric cases, and new diagnostic algorithms. The report also highlights the challenges faced by the NTP, including funding restrictions imposed by the Global Fund (GF) that resulted in a lack of transportation means for supervisory visits in the districts. The NTP is expected to consider filling the financial gap in TB CARE 1 APA2 before GF Round 10 takes over, with the grant signing due in December 2011. In terms of technical outcomes, the report shows that the quality of smear microscopy was maintained, with 100% of laboratories performing TB microscopy with over 95% correct microscopy results. The number of MDR cases diagnosed and put on treatment is also reported, with 8 and 12 cases, respectively. Overall, the report highlights the progress made in various technical areas, despite the challenges faced by the NTP. The update of the National TB control guidelines is expected to be completed in December 2011, and the National Reference Laboratory is expected to perform culture and DST starting from the same month.