The purpose of the TBD HVTB project is to supplement ongoing USG partner HVTB activities in support of better integration of TB and HIV services. Specific activities will include 1) support of the new National TB Reference Laboratory; 2) infection control improvement in TB and HIV facilities; 3) extension of improved TB/HIV monitoring and evaluation to additional regions where the burden of TB/HIV appears substantial.

In collaboration with the national TB control program and the current USG partner, the TBD would assess the needs of the new National TB Reference Laboratory to become fully functional and to assume its QA/QC role. The project will support the necessary additional training and mentoring.

The TBD would also work with USG TB infection control experts with extensive experience in Ukraine and Russia to coordinate USG-supported infection control activities (in close collaboration with WHO, the Finnish Lung Health Association, and other international partners active in this area). Building on the successful experience of USG, these partners, and Ukrainian experts in enhancing IC in Donetsk Oblast, assessments will be made of the facilities treating the largest number of MDR patients in other regions to verify their IC needs and facility specific plans will be developed that include administrative modifications and renovations. IC trainings will continue and will be expanded beyond the current project area. The Ukrainian prison system is increasingly supportive of collaboration to improve TB infection control; the TBD partner will assess the prison system needs.

The TBD HVTB will also strengthen HIV services in TB clinics in priority regions with increasing TB and HIV rates beyond those regions included in the current USG partner's activities, with a special emphasis on assuring quality HIV testing of all TB patients with referrals of those with HIV infection to appropriate services. The Implementing Mechanism will work closely with the existing USG HVTB partner, Global Fund implementing partners, WHO and other international partners to coordinate National Reference Laboratory support, IC trainings and facility support, and expansion of TB/HIV data collection activities.

Through these activities, the NGO SI project would contribute to the achievement of goals 2 and 3 of Ukraine's forthcoming Partnership Framework: these are improved quality and cost effectiveness of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for MARPs, and strengthened national and local ability to achieve Ukraine's National AIDS Program objectives.

The purpose of the TBD HVTB project is to supplement ongoing USG partner HVTB activities in support of better integration of TB and HIV services. Specific activities will include 1) support of the new National TB Reference Laboratory; 2) infection control improvement in TB and HIV facilities; 3) extension of improved TB/HIV monitoring and evaluation to additional regions where the burden of TB/HIV appears substantial.

In collaboration with the national TB control program and the current USG partner, the TBD would assess the needs of the new National TB Reference Laboratory to become fully functional and to assume its QA/QC role. The project will support the necessary additional training and mentoring.

The TBD would also work with USG TB infection control experts with extensive experience in Ukraine and Russia to coordinate USG-supported infection control activities (in close collaboration with WHO, the Finnish Lung Health Association, and other international partners active in this area). Building on the successful experience of USG, these partners, and Ukrainian experts in enhancing IC in Donetsk Oblast, assessments will be made of the facilities treating the largest number of MDR patients in other regions to verify their IC needs and facility specific plans will be developed that include administrative modifications and renovations. IC trainings will continue and will be expanded beyond the current project area. The Ukrainian prison system is increasingly supportive of collaboration to improve TB infection control; the TBD partner will assess the prison system needs.

The TBD HVTB will also strengthen HIV services in TB clinics in priority regions with increasing TB and HIV rates beyond those regions included in the current USG partner's activities, with a special emphasis on assuring quality HIV testing of all TB patients with referrals of those with HIV infection to appropriate services. The Implementing Mechanism will work closely with the existing USG HVTB partner, Global Fund implementing partners, WHO and other international partners to coordinate National Reference Laboratory support, IC trainings and facility support, and expansion of TB/HIV data collection activities.

Through these activities, the NGO SI project would contribute to the achievement of goals 2 and 3 of Ukraine's forthcoming Partnership Framework: these are improved quality and cost effectiveness of HIV prevention, care, and treatment services for MARPs, and strengthened national and local ability to achieve Ukraine's National AIDS Program objectives.