XBM:TB phase 2
Cross-border Management of Tuberculosis between Germany, Poland, Moldova, and Romania
Context
Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease that is widespread worldwide. Some of the cross-border movement of people from Eastern European countries occurs before or during their TB treatment courses, which last at least several months. Treatment continuation for mobile patients is difficult due to existing gaps in cross-border information exchange including treatment outcome data. Gaps in information exchange also lead to an increase of the proportion of TB cases with missing treatment outcomes, a core WHO indicator for assessing the progress of the TB elimination strategy. In addition, there is a high proportion of multidrug-resistant TB cases from Eastern Europe, whose diagnosis and treatment are particularly challenging and require complete and rapid transfer of information. The aim of the project is to establish efficient communication protocols for the systematic exchange of information between Germany and the partner countries to ensure care of cross-border patients. XBM:TB phase 2 intends to close gaps in cross-border TB management and strengthens monitoring of treatment outcomes. Furthermore, the project promotes cross-border contact tracing. To this end, cross-border TB management shall be enhanced and scaled-up onto the entire region in the future. Building on the work of the predecessor project XBM:TB (2023), XBM:TB phase 2 will expand the partnership with Poland to improve treatment continuity and data completeness. It also establishes partnerships with Romania and the Republic of Moldova to enable efficient cross-border TB management.
Objective
Improved cross-border cooperation in the management of tuberculosis patients through efficient communication protocols for a systemtic information exchange between Germany and Poland, Romania and the Republic of Moldova
In Cooperation with
- Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, Warsaw, Poland
- PMSI Institute of Pneumology “Chiril Draganiuc”, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
- “Marius Nasta” Institute of Lung Diseases, Bucharest, Romania
Thematic priorities
Facts
Activities
-
Networking and cooperation
The project advances the partnership in the field of cross-border TB management with Poland and establishes similar partnerships with Romania and the Republic of Moldova.
-
Training and competence development
XBM:TB phase 2 develops capacities for improved and sustainable cross-border TB management in the partner countries. To this end, it provides workshops for national actors and stakeholders from the fields of clinical care, national and local public health services, as well as healthcare provision.
-
Policy support
The project supports partner institutions in implementing the International Health Regulations (IHR) in cross-border TB management, recording and reporting on the WHO core indicator on treatment outcomes, as well as implementing contact tracing in the partner countries.
