The Global Fund Observer, which is a leading independent information resource, published an article dedicated to Ukraine. The publication is based on the experience of Ukraine in implementing TB care and prevention programs with support of the Global Fund. Though the Global Fund supports programs in over 100 countries of the world, Ukraine was the one that was able to offer a number of effective solutions to bring down the burden of tuberculosis in spite of the challenging epidemiological context in the country.
Through people-oriented models of care that include social support for patients, Ukraine was able to double TB treatment success rate – from the traditional level of 40% up to 80%! Besides, effective models of care using results-based financing (RBF) were succesfully piloted in Odesa and Odesa region. Such new approaches have already been supported by the local authorities – Odesa approved a program stipulating transparent allocation of funding for the detected TB cases as well as for cured patients. The role of civil society organizations is set forth in the new procedure of providing social support to TB patients.
The gradual transition to state funding is planned not only for HIV, but also for TB programs, and the role of civil society organizations (SCO) here is also very important. We developed some models of SCO activities which proved to be effective and have been recognized at the international level. A number of best practices implemented by Alliance for Public health – “Early TB detection in most-at-risk populations” and “Results-based financing to provide DOT at the outpatient treatment stage” – were included in summer 2018 in a UNAIDS publication Ending tuberculosis and AIDS – a joint response in the era of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We are grateful to all our partners – Public Health Center, Ministry of Health, Parliament Platform to Fight TB, Red Cross Society, Stop TB Partnership Ukraine, Network of PLWH, organizations of people with the experience of TB, doctors, partners from health facilities and civil society organizations, international organizations, in particular WHO, Stop TB Partnership, TB Europe Coalition, PAS Center, Zero TB Cities, Global TB Caucus, our donors, in particular the Global Fund and USAID – those are the results of our joint efforts!”, said Andriy Klepikov, Executive Director of Alliance for Public Health. – In September, the Ukrainian delegation is going to the UN High-Level Meeting on Tuberculosis with demonstrated achievements recognized at the international level!”
