OVERVIEW
Through this partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Tuberculosis Program of Turkmenistan, USAID introduces new approaches for DR-TB prevention, detection and treatment. The activity introduces the latest guidelines on TB prevention and detection, expands access to new TB drugs and DR-TB treatment regimens, puts active drug safety monitoring systems in place, and introduces outpatient treatment models. It contributes to the targets of the USAID Global TB Strategy 2023-2030.
GOALS
The main challenge in TB control in Turkmenistan is the high burden of DR-TB. To overcome this challenge, the activity will:
- Implement WHO’s standardized package of community-based services to include TB services in primary health care and improve TB treatment outcomes;
- Strengthen contact screening and systematic TB screening for high-risk and vulnerable groups;
- Ensure early diagnosis of all forms of TB and universal access to drug-susceptibility testing, including the use of rapid tests;
- Ensure equitable access to high-quality treatment and care for all people with TB, including those with DR-TB and TB comorbidities; and support for patients to facilitate treatment adherence; and
- Facilitate intensified research and innovation.
ANTICIPATED RESULTS
- Improved capacity of National TB Program to provide community support services for community/public health organizations.
- National consolidated guidelines/clinical protocols on the preventative treatment and systematic screening for TB disease and TB lab diagnosis developed and follow-up training conducted, in line with the latest WHO guidelines.
- Assessment of the country’s need to scale up access to molecular rapid diagnostics conducted and results presented at national level.
- Consultations performed on operational research on new shorter term treatment regimens that ensure safer and faster treatment.
Image
