Annual Program Report 2004 - American International Health Alliance

Photo: Dmitrii Volkov
meetings and initiating consultations with HRSA
and country teams on incorporating partnerships
and volunteers into the HIV/AIDS plans of the
focus countries.
National Tuberculosis Control
(Moldova)
With USAID funding, AIHA is implementing a comprehensive
project, Strengthening Tuberculosis
Control in Moldova, in support of WHO’s Directly
Observed Therapy-Short Course (DOTS) strategy.
The four-year project, begun in 2003, is upgrading
laboratories; enhancing skills in detection, treatment
and follow-up; improving TB surveillance; and
increasing awareness of symptoms and treatment.
The renovated National TB Reference Laboratory
and two Regional Reference Laboratories reopened
in March 2005 for World TB Day, with equipment
provided by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria. An environmental mitigation
and infection control plan and revised guidelines
for laboratory procedures were approved. A
total of 15 laboratory staff, TB specialists, PHC
physicians and nurses, and medical professors
received instructor training at the International
Training Center at the State Center of Tuberculosis
and Lung Diseases of Latvia. These individuals subsequently
trained 350 PHC practitioners in cooperation
with the World Bank and the State Medical and
Pharmaceutical University “Nicolae Testemitanu.”
Providers now have the information and skills to
better communicate with TB patients.
Results of a baseline knowledge, attitudes and practices
survey were used to design a public awareness
Culture method room in the newly-reopened National TB
Reference Laboratory in Chisinau.
campaign, “TB can be treated! See the doctor!”, that
was launched in 2004 and continued in 2005. The
campaign addresses a stark result of the survey –
nearly one-fourth of respondents believed TB cannot
be cured completely. Awareness raising activities
included press briefings and providing interview
opportunities for journalists. A series of televised TB
roundtables included AIHA’s Project Director, representatives
from the Ministry of Health, Institute of
Phthisiopneumology, Municipal TB Clinic, National
TB Control Programme and The Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Design and indicators for a TB surveillance system
were agreed upon with the Ministry of
Health. The software is being developed in collaboration
with the Scientific-Practical Center for
Sanitary Management. AIHA joined forces with
UNAIDS on a common surveillance system platform,
with AIHA developing the TB component
and UNAIDS developing the HIV/AIDS component.
This interagency cooperation facilitated
achievement of an agreement by authorities of the
breakaway Transnistria region to carry out TB
control activities consistent with DOTS within the
framework of the Moldovan National
Tuberculosis Program.
Center of Excellence for
Multidrug-resistant TB
(Latvia)
In November, the International Training Center at
the State Center of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases
of Latvia was designated officially as a WHO
Collaborating Center for Research and Training in
Management of Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).
At the opening ceremonies in Riga, the Latvian
Minister of Health presented an award to the US
coordinator of the Riga/Little Rock partnership in
recognition of the role the University of Arkansas
for Medical Sciences (UAMS) played in the certification
of the Center. With USAID funding, UAMS
assisted the Center during 2002-2004 in enhancing
teaching methodologies and management skills and
instituting a business plan for financial stability. The
Center is recognized for its world-class training in
diagnosis, treatment and management of MDR-TB
and has trained trainers for the Moldova TB project.
10 American International Health Alliance