USAID funded Georgia Tuberculosis Prevention Project facilitated translation of the revised TB Definitions and adaptation of the recording and reporting forms as recommended by WHO. The new WHO document updates the previous standard case definitions for TB and drug-resistant TB, the categories used to assign outcomes and the standard reporting framework for TB. The revised definitions and forms were approved by the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and TPP developed a training program to support countrywide implementation of the revised TB definitions and reporting-recording system. The trainings were conducted in February – March, 2015 and covered all TB specialists, as well as lab technicians involved in TB diagnosis in Georgia.

In order to support the National TB Program in introducing new MDR TB treatment schemes, USIAD Georgia Tuberculosis Prevention Project facilitated trainings for TB specialists to ensure adherence to best practices in treatment delivery, to enable optimal drug effectiveness and safety.

The training is highlighted by the Stop TB Partnership Newsletter. The article can be accessed at http://www.stoptb.org/news/frompartners/2015/fp15_037.asp

The TPP, in coordination with the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs (MOLHSA), the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health (NCDC&PH), Georgian Phthisiologists and Pulmonologists Association and the National Center for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NCTBLD) hosted several activities to mark World TB Day 2015 with the theme “Reach the 3 Million”. The main sub-theme and message for this year was ”Reach, Treat, Cure Everyone”. The campaign included a 1-day scientific conference for TB specialists on March 23, 2015, a high level meeting on March 24, 2015. Street events with participation of students and distribution of information materials and media campaign.

Source: http://tpp.ge/World_TB_Day_2015/b26?lang=eng#.VU-YNpNeIgA

77^th CCM meeting was convened on March 6, 2015 at the Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia.

The meeting was presided by Mr. David Sergeenko, Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, CCM Chairperson.

The meeting was attended by the WHO HIV mission and French 5% Initiative (FEI) experts. The WHO experts shared with the audience preliminary results of the HIV program review with a particular emphasis on services delivery. FEI experts presented a draft of the HIV National Strategy for final review and endorsement by CCM by the end of March.

The CCM members also discussed a possible scenario for splitting a total Global Fund assistance between the HIV and TB programs.

An important decision made by the CCM general assembly on March 6^th was nomination of the current Global Fund grant Principle Recipient-National Center for Disease Control and Public Health to continue this role for the upcoming grants within the New Funding Model.

The decision was made based on extensive discussion by the CCM of PR’s compliance with the minimum criteria for the GF program implementers.

Members having no conflict of interest in relation to this decision unanimously voted through the secret ballot in favor of nominating the center as a PR for the GFATM HIV/AIDS and TB grants.