TB CARE I - Vietnam Year 2 Quarterly Report January-March 2012

This approval serves as the legal basis for the project's implementation in Vietnam. The TB CARE I Year 2 Workplan received final approval from USAID Washington on March 19, 2012. Key achievements in the first quarter of Year 2 include the development of a proposal and data collection tools for an initial assessment in three provinces. The draft training materials for the assessment have been developed and are ready for further discussion and finalization. In the area of laboratory services, training curriculum and materials on laboratory bio-safety and management for lab staff in five MDR tuberculosis (MDR-TB) laboratories have been developed and are ready for training in the next quarter. The upgrade of bio-safety status in five MDR-TB laboratories is underway, with field visits conducted by DNV, USAID, and KNCV-CO staff. Equipment contracts with seven suppliers are being executed, and the procurement of nine GeneXpert machines and 14 LED FMs is underway. The diagnostic algorithms using GeneXpert and training curriculum and materials are being developed. In the area of TB infection control, the upgrade of TB/IC status for five MDR treatment wards in five MDR-TB treatment centers is underway. Proposed IC facilities plans for District TB Units and HIV clinics from four provinces are available for NTP and KNCV review, approval, and provision of financial support for implementation. The overall work plan completion reached 19% in the first quarter of TB CARE I Year 2. Technical and administrative challenges include human resource constraints on all levels, quantity, and quality, as well as hierarchical decision-making processes. Time constraints also pose a challenge, with more than six months left for APA2 implementation. Key technical areas of focus for the quarter include universal and early access, laboratories, TB infection control, PMDT, TB/HIV, and health systems strengthening. The quarterly technical outcome report highlights achievements and challenges in these areas, including the development of a multisectoral 3-year work plan for TB-HIV control in prisons, the upgrade of TB/IC status for five MDR treatment wards, and the development of training materials for laboratory staff on laboratory bio-safety and management. In the area of universal and early access, the exposure visit to Indonesia for high-level officials from the Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Health is in preparation phase. The proposal for and data collection tools for the initial assessment in three provinces have been developed, and the draft training materials are ready for further discussion and finalization. In the area of laboratories, the guidelines and SOPs on TB laboratory services and EQA & maintenance have been reviewed and updated. Training curriculum and materials for laboratory staff on laboratory bio-safety and management have been developed. The upgrade of bio-safety status in five MDR-TB laboratories is underway, with equipment contracts with seven suppliers being executed. The quarterly technical outcome report highlights achievements and challenges in these areas, including the development of a multisectoral 3-year work plan for TB-HIV control in prisons, the upgrade of TB/IC status for five MDR treatment wards, and the development of training materials for laboratory staff on laboratory bio-safety and management. Overall, the first quarter of TB CARE I Year 2 has seen significant progress in key technical areas, including universal and early access, laboratories, TB infection control, PMDT, TB/HIV, and health systems strengthening. Challenges and next steps to reach the target include human resource constraints, hierarchical decision-making processes, and time constraints.