TB CARE I - CAR Tajikistan Year 2 Quarterly Report July-September 2012

The report highlights the program's focus on strengthening TB control in Tajikistan, with a particular emphasis on improving coordination between civil and prison TB services. The program's technical areas include Universal and Early Access, Laboratories, Infection Control, PMDT, TB/HIV, and Health Systems Strengthening. The report notes that the overall work plan completion by the end of Q4 was 57%, with most of the scheduled activities planned in quarter 4 being accomplished. However, some activities were not completed due to the delayed start of TB CARE I in Tajikistan and will be moved to APA3. In the Universal and Early Access technical area, the draft of the Interagency Plan on TB control program coordination between general and prison TB services was developed and submitted to the Thematic Working Group for further consideration. The plan was developed by representatives of the NTP, Prison Service, and main partner organizations working in the respective TB control programs. In the Laboratories technical area, the Xpert Thematic Working Group (Xpert TWG) was extended by clinicians in addition to laboratory specialists. A three-day workshop on the development of GeneXpert implementation strategy was conducted, resulting in the draft of the National Xpert MTB/RIF Implementation Strategy. The draft is currently being revised and finalized by the Xpert TWG. In the Infection Control technical area, recommendations for improvement of TB-IC in the national and TB facilities level were developed based on the results of the assessment mission conducted by Vlad Furman, Regional TB IC Consultant. Training and procurement needs in TB IC equipment for measurement in the TB facilities in pilot regions were identified during the assessment. In the PMDT technical area, 44 medical workers from two pilot sites were trained in PMDT during three 2-day trainings in August. The trainings were conducted for three target groups: TB and PHC managers, TB clinicians and family doctors, and TB and PHC nurses. The report also highlights the challenges faced by the program, including technical and administrative challenges, and the need to strengthen coordination and integration between prison and general TB services. The program's next steps include revising and finalizing the TWG regulations, providing trainings for prison system staff, and developing a protocol on outpatient care. The report also provides an update on the Global Fund status and the Transitional Funding Mechanism (TFM) for Tajikistan. The TFM was approved by the Global Fund, with funding of $17 million USD for 2014-2015. The SLDs will be purchased for 1,600 patients, and there are also funds directed on TB/HIV activities, monitoring visits, and trainings. The program's quarterly technical outcome report highlights the progress made in the technical areas, including the coordination mechanism between civil and prison TB services, the medium-term plan for implementation of integrated framework for TB control in prisons, and the protocol of outpatient model of care including patient support system. The report notes that the program has made significant progress in strengthening TB control in Tajikistan, but there are still challenges to be addressed, including the need to strengthen coordination and integration between prison and general TB services.