The USAID project "Quality Healthcare" conducted an assessment visit to the Talas region based on the results of the pilot project for implementing a laboratory research management system for tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and external quality assessment of microscopic studies.
This work is being carried out within the framework of the main areas of activity of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic aimed at reforming the laboratory service and strengthening infection control in healthcare institutions. The project was approved by the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic in 2013 and included in the country plan for 2013-2016 to prevent the spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. During the implementation of the project, an assessment of the laboratory conditions at the Talas Regional Tuberculosis Control Center (TRTCC) and district microscopic laboratories was conducted, recommendations for their improvement were provided, a decision was made to relocate the culture laboratory to another room with more space, and assistance was given in planning a new laboratory, i.e., a layout of the working areas in the laboratory was developed considering infection control and biological safety.
Currently, the TRTCC laboratory is functioning in a new renovated space. With the technical support of the USAID "Quality Healthcare" project, standard operating procedures for the main methods conducted in the laboratory have been developed, adapted, and implemented, and training sessions on internal quality control procedures have been held for specialists, etc.
At present, the tested laboratory research management system for TB diagnosis is being implemented by one culture laboratory and six microscopic laboratories in the Talas region, most of which have achieved improved results in infection control.
According to the project manager of USAID "Quality Healthcare," Zhyldyz Uzbekova, the ongoing work aims to reduce the spread of TB infection in Kyrgyzstan at the primary care level, i.e., if a person comes in with a suspicion of TB and is diagnosed, the medical staff at the primary care level, such as the family health center or the rural health post, should be vigilant and isolate the patient from the general population, as there may be children and pregnant women among them, and start treatment as soon as possible. As is known, tuberculosis is curable. The main thing is not to neglect the disease and to complete the full course of treatment prescribed by the doctor in a timely manner.
For additional information and comments, please contact the laboratory specialist of the USAID "Quality Healthcare" project, Klara Takiyeva, at 0 555 440 507.
