TB CARE I - CAR Uzbekistan Year 2 Quarterly Report April-June 2012

The program's main objective is to improve TB control in the country, with a focus on universal and early access to TB services, laboratory strengthening, infection control, and health systems strengthening. In the reported period of April-June 2012, TB CARE I staff made necessary administrative and programmatic preparations for upcoming activities. The WHO TB unit addressed letters to the Ministry of Health on the establishment of two technical working groups (TWGs) - on GeneXpert implementation and on TB infection control. These TWGs will be further technically supported by international consultants from TB CARE I. The program also made progress in laboratory strengthening, with the establishment of a technical working group on Xpert MTB/Rif implementation in June 2012. Three lab persons were appointed as TWG members, and a three-day workshop was conducted on July 10-12 for the Xpert Technical Working Group and partners implementing Xpert MTB/Rif in the country to develop a strategy for Xpert implementation. In the area of infection control, international IC consultants were appointed to revise the National TB IC guidelines and develop a chapter on IC in prisons. A working group consisting of specialists from the National TB Program, Republican DOTS center, and from the Republican Sanitary Epidemiology Department will develop a draft TB-IC guideline prior to a workshop on IC in July 2012. The program also made progress in health systems strengthening, with the development of a system for Xpert MTB/Rif implementation in the country. A five-day mission will be organized in September 2012 with joint participation of the National TB Program, prison system representatives, and WHO/TB CARE I consultants to discuss and design a mechanism for transitional care. In terms of implementation, the program faced some challenges, including technical and administrative challenges. However, the program made progress in several areas, including the establishment of a technical working group on Xpert MTB/Rif implementation and the development of a system for Xpert MTB/Rif implementation in the country. The program also made progress in the area of prison TB control, with the submission of a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WHO and the Ministry of Interior to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in May 2012. The MoU is expected to be finalized in July and signed in August 2012. A two-day workshop on consensus building for prison medical department and NTP will be organized in September 2012, and a joint team of specialists from prison and civilian TB services will develop a mid-term plan. Overall, the TB CARE I program in Uzbekistan made progress in several areas during the reported period, including laboratory strengthening, infection control, and health systems strengthening. However, the program faced some challenges, including technical and administrative challenges.