Strengthening Tuberculosis Control in Moldova Project

In December 2003, AIHA launched a four-year USAID-supported project to strengthen Moldova’s health system capacity to control and prevent TB. The project concluded in September 2007.

AIHA adopted a four-pronged approach to combat Moldova’s tuberculosis epidemic, working to:

  • Improve the nation’s laboratory capacity to diagnose TB and multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB);
  • Enhance the TB detection, treatment, and follow-up skills of primary care physicians and nurses;
  • Improve the national surveillance system for tracking and managing TB and MDR-TB; and
  • Increase public awareness about symptoms and treatment to promote early detection, especially among vulnerable groups.

Strategic partners working in conjunction with AIHA included:

  • University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences;
  • State Centre of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases of Latvia;
  • Moldova’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Internal Affairs;
  • Moldovan National Reference Laboratory and TB Institute; and
  • State Medical and Pharmaceutical University “Nicolae Testemitanu.”

Hundreds of Moldovan health practitioners, educators, students, policymakers, journalists, broadcasters, NGOs, TB patients, and the general population contributed to the success of this project, as did active collaboration with other international efforts, particularly the Global Fund.

During the four-year project period, the four planned components were carried out comprehensively and complemented one another. The national TB laboratory network was strengthened, primary level capacity for TB control was strengthened, surveillance and monitoring of TB was improved, and public awareness of TB was increased.

For all four components, AIHA surpassed its stated output targets within the project period. There were more extensive renovation of laboratories, more primary care and laboratory practitioners trained, a surveillance system designed with greater analytical and patient management functionality, and larger numbers of informational materials distributed.

For more detailed information about the impact of AIHA’s Strengthening Tuberculosis Control in Moldova Project, please click here to read the final closeout report.