Why is it important?

Tuberculosis (TB) is often described as a disease of poverty, because it mostly affects people from the poorest countries in the world, with more than half of all deaths occurring in Asia, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

More than one-third of the world’s population is infected with the TB bacilli, with over 90 percent of them occur in developing countries. While treatment is available, 2 out of 5 TB cases are not properly detected and treated. In addition more than 75 percent of TB-related disease and death occurs among people between the ages of 15 to 54, which are the most economically active segment of the population. As a result TB brings vulnerable communities into deeper poverty.

Tuberculosis has been a major health problem and a threatening disease in Iran from the far past. Currently TB affects around 16,000 people and kills around 2,000 people every year in Iran. The main people at risk include people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), prisoners, patients with Multidrug-resistance TB (MDR-TB), and TB culture laboratory staff. The majority of TB cases is concentrated in the seven poorest provinces in the country and includes: Sistan and Baluchestan,Golestan, Hormozgan, North Khorasan, South Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi and Khuzestan.

What is our goal?

The overall goal of the project is “to dramatically reduce the burden of TB in the poor and vulnerable populations by 2015 in line with the MDGs and the Stop TB Partnership targets”.

How will we reach it?

The project aims to achieve this goal by:

• Scaling up high quality Directly Observed Therapy Strategy (DOTS) in the target provinces through case detection by quality-assured bacteriology,
• standardized treatment with supervision and patient support, establishment of an effective drug supply and management system, and placing a monitoring and evaluation system, and impact measurement;
• Addressing HIV/TB, MDR-TB and other challenges through prevention and control of multi-drug resistant TB and addressing TB care for prisoners;
• Empowering the community and people living with TB through advocacy, communication and social mobilization;
• Strengthening program management capacity.

It is expected that by the end of Phase one of the program (September 30, 2010):

• 32 new Direct Smear Microscopy (DSM) laboratories have been established in the target districts,
• 5500 people have received Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) visits during the intensive treatment phase,
• Diagnosis and treatment of new smear positive cases have been improved,
• 20 new culture laboratories have been established and 20 culture laboratories have been upgraded,
• Six new Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) laboratories have been installed in the  country,
• 55 prisons have had renovated quarantine and isolated rooms,
• 2 million students have been provided with prevention pamphlets and finally,
• 70 percent of the population above the age of 15 has acquired correct knowledge about TB.

Financial Delivery

The following is the breakdown of expenditures per year since the inception of project activities.

NATIONAL MDG FOCUS

Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

PROJECT AT A GLANCE

Project Title:

Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Iran, Phase 1

Location:

Tehran, provinces of Sistan&Baluchestan, Golestan, Hormozgan, North Khorasan, South Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, Khuzestan

Duration:

Start Date       End Date

01.10.08             31.09.10

Budget:

GFATM $12,652,286

Total $12,652,286

Implementing Partners:

Centre for Communicable Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education

Health and Treatment Department, Prisons Organization

World Health Organization

Project Status:

Ongoing

UNDP Program Staff:

Dr. Ahmad Danesh

National Project Director:

Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Gouya

Dr. Marzieh Farnia

National Project Focal Point:

Dr. Mahshid Nasehi

Project Document:

Addendum One to the Project "Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria in the I.R. of Iran"