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     April 28, 2009

 

First Regional Model Tuberculosis Center Opens in Asia-Pacific
Center to Focus on Multiple-Drug Resistant TB

 

The Asia-Pacific region’s first Model Center focusing on the prevention and control of Multiple-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) was launched today at the Tropical Disease Foundation in Makati City, Manila.  The regional Model Tuberculosis (TB) Center, in collaboration with the Philippine Department of Health and the ministries of health of other countries, will provide high-quality technical assistance and training for health experts and national tuberculosis programs throughout the Asia-Pacific Region.

The regional Model Tuberculosis Center is the second center of its kind in the world.  It is funded by the U.S. Government through the Agency for International Development’s Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA).  The other center is the MDR-TB Center for Excellence in Riga, Latvia.  It is also supported by USAID.

The regional Model TB Center, based in Manila, will offer a variety of training programs focusing on the control of MDR-TB; increased involvement of private healthcare providers in diagnosis, case management and reporting; and the establishment of an online resource center to serve national tuberculosis programs in the region.

The regional Model TB Center will help national tuberculosis programs improve case identification, diagnosis and treatment, in addition to drug monitoring and management proficiency of TB service providers.

USAID/RDMA is working with the World Health Organization (WHO), national tuberculosis programs, local governments, the private sector, and other partners to eradicate TB throughout the region through: 1) improved TB case management, especially MDR-TB and TB/HIV co-infection; 2) enhanced laboratory diagnostic capacity and quality; and 3) support for national TB control programs in improving drug quality monitoring and management.

The regional Model Tuberculosis Center’s overall goal is to contribute to meeting national tuberculosis programs’ targets for case detection and treatment.  Ultimately this will contribute toward achieving the TB-related Millennium Development Goal of reducing the number of cases and deaths due to TB by one-half.

 

 

 

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Last Update :: 04/28/2009
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