Abstract
Since 2004, Republic of Macedonia has implemented 3 GFATM funded grants. RM is the lowest HIV prevalence country in the SEE Region; the cumulative total number by the end of 2010 is 134, and the number of new TB cases in 2010 was 420. To date, 4 cases were diagnosed with HIV and TB.
To analyze joint HIV/TB activities in the past 6 years, identify gaps and challenges to be addressed in order to provide recommendations for policy makers.
We have performed desk analysis of reports on joint HIV/TB activities performed in the period 2004-2010, submitted to GFATM.
NGO HOPS delivers TB prevention education for high-risk groups - IDUs, psychiatric patients, Roma, refugees/asylum seekers and PLHIV. By the end of 2010, total of 7025 HRG representatives have been educated for TB, representing an extraordinary collaboration between the Government and NGO sector.
Voluntary and Confidential Counseling and Testing (VCCT) services are offered to TB patients at Lung Diseases Institute, by one trained nurse. Analyzed quarterly, the results vary significantly, ranging from 0% tested to as high as 75% tested for some of the cohorts.
Although RM has shown significant achievements in implementation of GFATM funded programs for TB and HIV/AIDS, there is still lot of work to combine services and address prevention. There is a clear need to expand VCCT countrywide, scale-up activities as to include other HRG (e.g. sex workers) and necessity for capacity building of communities to address TB in PLHIV. In addition, we have to still work to strengthen institutional support for coordinated response and involve clients in development of relevant strategies
- © 2011 ERS
