Additional financing for the National Tuberculosis Control Program

Over 10 million Euros for rapid diagnostic, correct, complete and directly observed treatment and adequate information

“Marius Nasta” Institute of Pulmonology, in partnership with the Romanian Angel Appeal Foundation, the Centre for Health Policies and Services Foundation and LHL International Tuberculosis Foundation, is implementing the project “Improving the Health Status of the Romanian Population through Increasing the TB Control”.

The project is part of the Program RO 19 Public Health Initiatives, which program operator is the Ministry of Health and has a budget of 10.740.280 Euro, ensured from 2 sources: 85% through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014 and 15% co-financing from the state budget. The period of implementation of the project is 20 months, 8 August 2014 – 7 April 2016.

The project meets the needs identified by our national and international experts, regarding multidrug resistant TB and extensive drug resistant TB (TB MDR/XDR).

The main objectives of the project are:

• development of rapid diagnostic capacity of the TB lab network, by ensuring modern equipment and necessary supplies for detection MDR/XDR TB,
• provide complete, continuous and directly observed treatment to patients with MDR/XDR TB, by procuring high quality drugs and by ensuring directly observed treatment (DOT),
• information of the population and ensuring community support for the prevention of TB spread,
• increase the management capacity of the Technical Assistance and Management Unit of the National TB Prevention, Surveillance and Control .

 The main activities which will be implemented within the project:

• 8 reference laboratories shall the equipped with modern for the rapid diagnostic of MDR/XDR TB. In the project, there shall be procured: 3 MGIT equipments, 8 GeneXpert equipments, 2 LPA equipments, 3 Versatrek devices, as well as the supplies necessary to run genetic tests, cultures and DSTs
• 1000 patients with MDR/XDR TB shall receive complete, continuous and quality treatment, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization
• 2500 patients with TB and MDR/XDR TB shall receive support for the ambulatory treatment, through directly observed treatment and social support, in order to increase the treatment adherence;
• 10.000 persons shall be informed regarding TB transmission, prevention and access to primary health care;
• 600 persons from the national TB network shall benefit of a training course in the area or drug management, infection control and TB surveillance;
• National basis for TB data collection shall be updated according to the international recommendations;
• 2000 UV lamps shall be procured to equip the TB facilities, while 960 members of staff (doctors, nurses, and administrative staff) shall be trained in TB infection control.

“With the support of this funding, we have the opportunity to make a difference in TB control in Romania. The amount of over 10 million Euros shall be invested in drugs, rapid diagnostic equipment and support for the patients. It is an important step, which will be continued through other sources of funding, as well as by insuring the sustainability of the interventions from governmental sources. Our aim is that, by 2020, TB is no more a public health problem in Romania.” (Dr. Gilda Popescu, Coordinator of the National TB Control Program)

Contact:
Costinela Caraene, PR Coordinator
Tel: 0721.151.187
e-mail: costinela.caraene@raa.ro