In Georgia TB Incidence Drastically Declined, Treatment Capacities Improved
“In Georgia, TB incidence, including Drug-resistant TB declined by 50% since 2015.
The treatment success of all forms of Tuberculosis also improved”, - stated Minister of Health of Georgia at the high-level meeting on Tuberculosis within the framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.
The countries discussed the progress of TB detection and treatment. The impact of COVID-19 on TB management capacity was emphasized. As noted by Zurab Azarashvili, alternative, more effective and patient-centered models of service delivery were elaborated during the pandemic.
Online services, digital technologies, telemedicine were developed.
“The pandemic posed a significant challenge to TB response programs. Investments made in TB program before the pandemic has helped to quickly establish COVID-19 laboratory testing program and provide effective surveillance.
Despite the COVID-related challenges, Georgia National Program continued uninterrupted operations to provide access to life-saving diagnostics and medicines.
With the support from the US Government, the Global Fund, the World Health Organization, the Stop TB Partnership, Georgia has introduced and scaled up innovative solutions, the country rapidly adopted the WHO guidelines for elimination of tuberculosis, enhanced TB research infrastructure, ensured sustainable funding and deployed a robust program for addressing social needs. As a result of mentioned interventions, TB cases have drastically decreased and treatment capacities improved”, - stated Zurab Azarashvili.
