USAID Eliminating Tuberculosis in Central Asia Activity (USAID ETICA) Quarterly Report: January – March 2024

In the second quarter of year five, the Activity engaged in a combination of online, in-person, and hybrid interventions while finalizing close-out procedures. Under the Reach component, USAID ETICA provided analytical assistance to the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) in assessing GeneXpert usage and results. The Activity also conducted capacity-building events to enhance the performance of laboratories toward GeneXpert network optimization and improved efficiency. In Tajikistan, the Activity continued to support the NTP in conducting enhanced case finding (ECF) activities. Community-level support was provided to the NTP to identify and treat TB cases. The Activity also reviewed nearly 509 TB cases in Tajikistan, with the help of TB Consilia receiving Activity technical assistance. Under the Cure component, USAID ETICA continued to bolster the capacity of TB Consilia for improved TB treatment. The Activity supported the digitization of TB information systems in line with country strategies in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan. Digitization will improve epidemiological oversight and ensure linkages across information systems to facilitate the introduction of new TB service payments. The Activity conducted a regional online seminar on "Quality Management System (QMS) in TB Laboratories: 4th SLMTA" for National Reference Laboratory (NRL) and regional TB laboratories' specialists of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The training focused on the gaps identified during the Stepwise Laboratory Quality Improvement Process Towards Accreditation (SLIPTA) audits. A total of 81 specialists from NRL and all TB local/oblast laboratories of Kazakhstan participated. In Uzbekistan, the Activity continued to support the NTP in increasing detection of TB and drug-resistant TB. The Activity also supported the implementation of the TB preventive treatment (TPT) program in the country. In Kazakhstan, the Activity supported the NTP in increasing detection of TB and drug-resistant TB. The Activity also supported the implementation of the TPT program in the country. The Activity also conducted a regional online seminar on "Quality Management System (QMS) in TB Laboratories: 4th SLMTA" for NRL and regional TB laboratories' specialists of Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The Activity did not engage Turkmenistan and Kyrgyz Republic counterparts this quarter. The Activity budget expenditures by country since inception are presented in the report. The Activity's efforts are aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of TB cases in Central Asia. The implementation of a Quality Management System (QMS) at the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) and regional TB laboratories will help ensure a high-quality diagnosis of Drug-Sensitive (DS) and DR TB cases in the country. The Activity's support for the digitization of TB information systems will also improve epidemiological oversight and ensure linkages across information systems to facilitate the introduction of new TB service payments. The Activity's work in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan has resulted in improved detection and treatment of TB cases. The Activity's support for the implementation of the TB preventive treatment (TPT) program has also contributed to the reduction of TB cases in the region. The Activity's efforts are aligned with the USAID Global Accelerator to End Tuberculosis (TB) key targets of Reach, Cure, and Prevent. The Activity's work in Central Asia is aimed at improving the diagnosis and treatment of TB cases and reducing the burden of TB in the region. The Activity's budget expenditures by country since inception are presented in the report. The Activity's work in Central Asia has resulted in improved detection and treatment of TB cases, and the Activity's efforts are aligned with the USAID Global Accelerator to End Tuberculosis (TB) key targets of Reach, Cure, and Prevent.