TB surveillance and use of latest TB diagnostics and treatments reduced TB rates in Georgia | #EndTB
Channel: CNS
Date: 2023-09-22

TB surveillance and use of latest TB diagnostics and treatments reduced TB rates in Georgia | Dr Nino Lomtadze is the Head of Surveillance and Strategic Planning Department at Georgia's National TB Programme.

Georgia was among the high MDR-TB burden countries till 2016 after which TB rates (including those of drug-resistant forms) have been dropping. TB decline has been 6-7% in recent years.

She shares how WHO recommended molecular tests were deployed in 2013, TB regimens based on new (or repurposed) TB medicines such as Bedaquiline, Delamanid, Linezolid and Pretomanid have been in use. Georgia's long history of leading from the front in TB science and clinical studies related to new TB diagnostics and treatments (including ZeNix study which proved how safe and effective BPaL regimen is)... a lot more insights from her.

She has a Master of Science (MSc) degree from Emory University (USA) and a doctor’s diploma from Tvildiani Medical University. She has 18 years of experience in tuberculosis program management, both locally and internationally, including in planning and implementing scientific and implementation research. She is the World Health Organization's expert and a consultant for various international organizations. Dr Nino has led the implementation of various innovations within TB program, including the implementation of new TB drugs and shorter treatment and prevention regimens, active drug safety and monitoring and management, Video Supported Treatment (VST) and active systematic screening using Computer Aided Diagnostics. In addition she is the coordinator of the Global Fund TB Programme in Georgia since 2012.
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Over 90 months have passed by since the promise to end TB was made when heads of countries worldwide committed to UN SDGs (in 2015).

But progress towards TB elimination is way off the mark globally (barring very few exceptions).

Now, less than 90 months are left to end TB (by 2030) globally – and 28 months left to end TB in India by 2025 (as on August 2023).

90for90 Global Voices series present insights from those fighting TB on the frontlines on how the world can get on track to end TB, and also how we can synergise efforts to help accelerate progress towards other related SDG goals and targets such as ending AIDS, hunger, viral hepatitis, malaria, among others.

Thanks

#TB #UNHLMTB #EndTBDialogues #Season2 #tuberculosis #infectioncontrol #UNGA #UNGA78 #TBFreeGeorgia #Georgia