TB CARE I - Senegal Year 3 Quarterly Report October-December 2012

The report covers the progress of the project in Senegal during the third quarter of 2012. The project's overall work plan completion stands at 50%. Dr. Bertrand Cauchoix, The Union's consultant, undertook the first technical assistance mission to Senegal in December 2012. The mission included meetings with USAID and NTP staff, visits to MDR management units in Dakar and Thies, meetings with the leaders of the MDR Committee, and visits to the National Reference Laboratory and laboratory structures involved. Discussions centered on key issues such as MDR ambulatory support, infection control, diagnostic and screening techniques, and decentralization. The work plan was approved in July 2012, but implementation began in December 2012 to accommodate the NTP's schedule. The first mission coincided with the NTP external review, making it challenging to establish a road map with the NTP. However, recommendations were made to the NTP, including scheduling an expert laboratory mission before March to establish policies for expanding MDR TB diagnosis using the latest technology. Additionally, the possibility of funding a workshop for scaling up MDR AT strategy was proposed. Technical and administrative challenges were identified, including in-country Global Fund status and updates. Support for patients, screening of MDR suspects, and biological monitoring were also discussed. The current therapeutic plan in use is a 24-month plan in strict health DOT, with reflections on the possibility of using shorter plans. The negotiation of phase 2 of Round 10 will begin in March 2013, with the MDR TB expansion plan included in the next strategic plan being an essential element for the negotiation. The quarterly activity plan report highlights the progress of various activities, including reviewing the NTP strategy, MDR protocol, and plan, evaluating existing or needed infection control in MDR treatment facilities, organizing meetings with NTP and FHI staff, and submitting and presenting documents to USAID Health Office and the NTP. The project's cumulative technical completion stands at 50%. The quarterly MDR-TB report provides an overview of MDR TB cases diagnosed and put on treatment in Senegal. The total number of MDR TB cases diagnosed and put on treatment in 2010 was 42 and 12, respectively. In 2011, the numbers increased to 46 and 25. For the period January to December 2012, 35 MDR TB cases were diagnosed, and 29 were put on treatment. A stockout of SLDs occurred from January to September 2012. TB CARE I-supported international visits were conducted during the quarter, including a visit by Dr. Cauchoix to review the NTP strategy, MDR protocol, and plan. The visit was completed on December 16, 2012. The evaluation of existing or needed infection control in MDR treatment facilities is ongoing. The project has conducted 1 out of 3 planned international consultant visits, with a cumulative total of 3 visits conducted for the fiscal year.