TB CARE I-Kazakhstan Year 1 Quarterly Report January - February 2012

The project began in 2012 and is led by KNCV, with the overall work plan completion standing at 86% as of January-February 2012. The project focuses on eight technical areas, with the highest completion rates achieved in TB/HIV (100%) and drug supply and management (100%). In the laboratory technical area, significant progress was made in preparing for the introduction of Xpert MTB/RIF technology. An assessment of facilities for the selection of Xpert sites was conducted in Akmola oblast, and Kokshetau city was selected as a pilot site. A draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the implementation of Xpert in Kazakhstan was developed, outlining the responsibilities of the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) for the implementation, supply, maintenance, and provision of treatment for detected TB and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) cases. In the TB/HIV technical area, a TB-HIV protocol was developed and sent to the Ministry of Health for approval. The project also conducted a joint mission with the World Health Organization (WHO) to develop strategies for TB control in prisons, GeneExpert, outpatient treatment, and TB in migrants. The project's quarterly technical outcome report highlights progress in various technical areas. In the universal and early access technical area, the project achieved a 78% completion rate. In the laboratories technical area, the project made significant progress in preparing for the introduction of Xpert MTB/RIF technology, with the development of a draft strategy for Xpert MTB/RIF implementation and the drafting of algorithms, clinical protocols, and maintenance standard operating procedures (SOPs). In the TB/HIV technical area, the project achieved a 100% completion rate. The project also conducted a joint mission with the WHO to develop strategies for TB control in prisons, GeneExpert, outpatient treatment, and TB in migrants. The project's overall work plan implementation status was affected by technical and administrative challenges, including the transfer of the Prison Service from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the summer of 2011. The project's baseline highlights the number of MDR cases diagnosed and the number of MDR cases put on treatment. The project's expected outcomes include improved TB control in prisons, strengthened TB control in migrants, international standards on TB management in children introduced in the country, and improved laboratory strategic planning capacity. The project's technical areas include universal and early access, laboratories, TB/HIV, health systems strengthening, M&E, OR, and surveillance, and drug supply and management. The project's overall work plan completion rate was 86% as of January-February 2012, with the highest completion rates achieved in TB/HIV (100%) and drug supply and management (100%).