TB CARE I - Vietnam Year 3 Annual Report Quarter 4 Annex

The report covers the progress of TB CARE I in Vietnam during the third year of the project. The project is led by KNCV and has collaborating partners MSH and WHO. The project has made significant progress in various technical areas. In the area of Universal and Early Access, the project has achieved 100% completion. The project has also made progress in Infection Control, PMDT, and Health Systems Strengthening, with 100% completion in these areas. However, the project has faced challenges in TB/HIV, with only 50% completion. The project has implemented several activities to improve the management of TB in children. The new strategy of management of TB in children has been implemented successfully in 4 pilot provinces. By the end of June 2013, 2,808 children having close contact with patients who are AFB (+) were screened and registered for the management. Of these children, 1,025 children are eligible for Isoniazid prophylaxis (IPT), and 45 children (0.02%) have signs of TB who were suspected and moved to a higher level for TB diagnosis. The project has also made progress in training and capacity building. The trainings on improved lab management and biosafety were conducted in the last three MDR-TB labs of Tien Giang, Binh Thuan, and Thanh Hoa. A total number of 72 lab technicians in these three labs were trained and practiced on improved work practice and lab management. In the area of laboratory testing, the project has ensured the capacity, availability, and quality of laboratory testing to support the diagnosis and monitoring of TB patients. The project has also supported the dissemination of the report on specimen referral to all relevant partners on a periodically. The project has also provided technical assistance on laboratory system by Senior microbiological consultant (Dr. Sang Jea Kim) to review and evaluate the training and implementation of LED FM, and the laboratory services including biosafety practices, culture and DST for the diagnosis and treatment follow-up of drug susceptible and drug resistant TB (MDRTB) at the laboratories of Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital, Binh Dinh Hospital, and K74 Hospital. The project has also implemented LED FM in 10 districts in HCMC (APA2) and 2 MDR-TB centers. After the training on LED FM implementation for lab technicians in HCMC (PNT Hospital), another training for lab technicians in 2 other MDR-TB centers of K74 and Binh Dinh has completed in this quarter. In total, 29 lab technicians (15 male, 14 female) have been trained on this LED FM implementation. All 10 districts in HCMC and 2 MDR TB centers have started using LED FM with external quality control. The project has also made progress in updating the national guideline on TB control in congregate settings. A workshop to discuss and finalize the first draft of the National Guideline on the management of TB/HIV/MDR in congregate settings was organized on 30 September 2013 with 12 participants from NTP, Ministry of Public Security, VAAC, Pham Ngoc Thach hospital, Xuan Loc prison (Dong Nai province). The guideline is being further finalized and expected to be complete in October 2013, then submitting to the Ministry of Health before printing and distributing to relevant units across the country. The project has also developed IEC materials for management of TB in children. The final draft of IEC materials (01 leaflet and 01 poster) were approved by NTP. 554,400 leaflets and 12,750 posters were printed and widely available to provincial and district levels of 25 provinces implementing the new strategy on TB management in children in 2012-2014 period. The project has also made progress in ensuring the availability of specimen packaging material at 47 sites. The project has also supported the transportation of specimen from sentinel to referral sites, with 25% completion in this quarter. The project has also provided technical support at provincial and district level for specimen referral system, with 100% completion in this quarter. The project has also provided technical support to NTP in strengthening of MIS for specimen referral system, with 100% completion in this quarter. The project has also made progress in providing technical support to NTP for data collection, analysis, and reporting periodically, with 100% completion in this quarter. The project has also supported NTP to disseminate the report on specimen referral to all relevant partners on a periodically, with 100% completion in this quarter. The project has also made progress in ensuring the capacity, availability, and quality of technical assistance and services, with 100% completion in this quarter. The project has also provided technical assistance on laboratory system by Senior microbiological consultant (Dr. Sang Jea Kim) to review and evaluate the training and implementation of LED FM, and the laboratory services