Tropical Disease Foundation (TDF)
Year(s) : 2008, 2007
Grant Recipient Type : NGO / Nonprofit
Grantor : World Lung Foundation (WLF)
Project goal : To open a training facility to conduct research and build capacity on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in Asia.
Direct Grant : Yes
MDR-TB training in Manila.
Key achievement to date: TDF opened the first International Tuberculosis Center in Asia, in Manila, in March 2008. The state-of-the-art center hosts a treatment center and a research laboratory.
Objective
1: To conduct trainings on MDR-TB to
health professionals across Asia.
Major
accomplishments to date:
- The center's first training
sessions took place in May 2008, with 23
clinicians representing 16 countries
participating in an intensive five-day
Comprehensive Clinical Course on MDR-TB
management.
- To date, five training
courses have been conducted for participants
from other countries, and 10 trainings on TB
management have been conducted for TB program
implementers nationally, including TDF staff.
- TDF has also provided technical assistance to other countries concerning implementation of the WHO's Guidelines for the Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant TB.
Objective 2: To develop programs
and resources that facilitate the treatment of
MDR-TB.
Major accomplishments to
date:
- In addition to
offering a variety of treatment and training
programs focused on control of MDR-TB, the
facility has established an online resource
that assists TB practitioners with case
identification, diagnosis and treatment, as
well as programs that improve clinical
proficiency.
- An initiative using Radio Frequency Identification technology automatically and accurately identifies and tracks supply and demand of drugs, facilitating efficient distribution to patients. This has not only benefited patients directly, but it has also enabled TB control experts to start self-sustaining programs in their own countries.