Designup

Category: Health Systems Research

  • Training in Evidence Search-Acquisition

    Through implementing the project: Strengthening Capacity of Civil Society for Promoting Research Evidence into Policy Development in Georgia, Curatio International Foundation aims to improve the skills of civil society representatives in developing policies that are a) evidence informed b) tailored to Georgia’s social, economic and cultural context, and c) responsive to public interest.

    CIF intends to contribute to achieving this goal by allying two distinct networks of NGOs (The coalition of Georgian NGOs for “Transparency of Public Finance” and Georgian “Mental Health Coalition”) and strengthening their capacity in delivering evidence into policy process. Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR) and Open Society Georgia Foundation (OSGF) support this effort.

    Knowing that the high quality research evidence is one of the critical preconditions for employing the evidence by policy makers into policy making CIF conducted the training in evidence search-acquisition. The objective of this training module was to enhance the abilities of the partner coalitions to successfully carry out analytical and research work by increasing capacity for accessing national and international sources of evidence (databases, scientific journals, grey literature repositories, governmental reports, internet etc.). The training was designed and provided by Mr.Levan Tsutskiridze, the President of the Association for International Relationships and helped participants to understand from where and how the needed evidence can be obtained; The module placed a special emphasis on provision of an instruction into harnessing the capacities of general and specialized internet search engines, better analysis of the information and more effective utilization of search data for research, informational or analytical purposes.

  • CIF will Launch Fellowship for the Best Student of Healthcare/Public Health Management Faculty

    Are you a successful last year bachelor student of healthcare/public health management? If yes, you are posed a golden opportunity to be granted the fellowship worth around 250 GEL monthly.

    From 2009 CIF will start awarding fellowships to the most successful students of Healthcare organization/Public Health Management who are awaiting bachelor’s diploma from accredited Georgian universities. At the beginning the project will be piloted in the capital Tbilisi.

    CIF will grant 250 GEL monthly to one of the most successful students who is willing to pursue his/her career in healthcare/public health management on high benefit of this field. The effort will provoke motivation of students to become real professionals of health care/public health management. For promotion of fellowships CIF will boost special web page on its web site where the information about its fellows will be situated. The page will enable students to be exposed to the health care management student community and will contain useful for students links.

    CIF’s effort is the first ever to target bachelor’s students of Healthcare/Public Health management and aims to:

    Demonstrate successful bachelor student
    Promote specialization of Healthcare organization/Public health management

    Students will be selected based on the following criteria:

    Incumbent should be motivated to become professional of the selected job
    References of high education institution on the student

    Conditions of assigning fellowship:

    Fellowship will be assigned to one student once per year based on the selection process
    Fellowship amount comprises 250 GEL monthly
    Fellowship will be granted from the beginning of the academic year, September 1.

  • Findings of Behavior Surveillance Surveys (BSS) to be Endorsed Soon

    Curatio International Foundation in collaboration with Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center and Public Union Bemoni has carried out Behavior Surveillance Surveys with biomarker component among intravenous drug users (IDUs).

    The activity covered 5 Georgian regions -Tbilisi, Batumi, Gori, Zugdidi, Telavi. The effort became possible in the framework of the project “Establishment of evidence-base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening the HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country” funded by the Global Fund. The survey was conducted using RDS methodology and included face-to-face interviews followed by blood testing on HIV and Syphilis.

    Findings will be introduced at the workshop which will gather representatives from Ministry of Labor, Health, and Social Affairs, National Center for Public Health and Disease Control, non-governmental organizations implementing preventing activities targeting IDUs and other stakeholders.

    The study reports will be unveiled in the mid fall.

    In the framework of the same project the sentinel surveillance among STI patients and Behavior Surveillance Surveys (BSS) with biomarker component among Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs), and Prisoners have been carried out.

  • Behavior Surveillance Survey among CSWs Covers Batumi and Tbilisi

    Curatio International Foundation together with Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center and Association Tanadgoma carried out Behavior Surveillance Survey with biomarker component among CSWs.

    The survey targeted the capital Tbilisi and regional city Batumi, sampling 280 individuals. The study was conducted using TLS methodology and went through face-to-face interviews followed by blood testing.

    The activity was carried out in the framework of the Global Fund project “Establishment of evidence-base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening the HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country”. Study results will be available in the late fall.

    In the framework of the same project the sentinel surveillance among STI patients and Behavior Surveillance Surveys with biomarker component among STI patients and Behavior Surveillance Surveys with biomarker component among Intravenous Drug Users (IDUs),and prisoners have been carried out.

  • Curatio International Foundation Contributes to Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives

    Curatio International Foundation is a member of Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives Network (GHIN). As a part of the WHO Maximizing Positive Synergies publication “Interactions between Global Health Initiatives and Health Systems: Evidence from countries” Georgia Case study “System-wide effects of the Global Fund on Georgia’s health care systems” was prepared by highly qualified experts of the Curatio International Foundation.

    The Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives Network (GHIN) is a network of researchers in 21 countries Georgia being one of them in the face of Curatio International Foundation. The network explores the impact of Global Health Initiatives(GFATM, MAP, PEPFAR) on existing health systems and health system development of the recipient countries. Network focuses on collecting evidence of these effects from regions and communities, in order to inform policy development at national and international level.

    In the framework of the network and in close collaboration with WHO Maximizing Positive Synergies publication “Interactions between Global Health Initiatives and Health Systems: Evidence from countries” has been developed and presented for discussion on June 23, 2009 to the G8 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Venice, Italy.

    As a part of this publication Georgia case study “System-wide effects of the Global Fund on Georgia’s health care systems”was prepared by Ketevan Chkhatarashvili, George Gotsadze and Natia Rukhadze (Curatio International Foundation). Case study is based on the findings of two surveys conducted in Georgia by CIF during 2004-2008. Surveys aimed to learn possible impact of GFATM funding on countries’ health care system development.

  • Health in Times of Transition

    Health in Times of Transition: Trends in Population Health and Health Policies in CIS countries (“HITT-CIS”) is primarily funded by the European Commission (DG Research – FP7). HITT-CIS is a large scale international study of 10 post-soviet countries that tries to understand long-term trends in population health, social and economic burden of disease, living conditions, patterns of nutrition, habits of alcohol and tobacco consumption, public health policies, access to health care. The overall aim of HITT is to contribute to the improvement of the health of the populations and health care systems CIS countries. Project started in the spring 2009 and will continue until 2013. HITT-CIS research consortium is a partnership of 13 teams from leading universities and research companies from the European Union, the CIS and Canada. CIF participates as an expert partner in the consortium and works in collaboration with the LSHTM.

    For further information read the publication.

  • CIF and MoLHSA conduct a workshop on Integrated Model and Strategic Plan for the Health Information system development in Georgia

    On February 12, 2008 a stakeholder workshop to discuss an Integrated Model and Strategic Plan for the Health Information System development in Georgia was held at the Ministry of Labor Health and Social Affairs of Georgia (MoLHSA). The workshop was organized in the framework of the Health Metrics Network project implemented by CIF in collaboration with the MoLHSA.

    The workshop was attended by the senior level policymakers, stakeholders from the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, the Health and Social Programs Agency, the State Department of Statistics, private insurance companies, representatives of all donor supported Projects involved in the strengthening of the health information system. It was facilitated by the Deputy Minister Nikoloz Pruidze. Introductory remarks including a rapid review of the project, activities implementing within the project, workshop agenda, detailed the purpose of the meeting and introducing presenters from Curatio International Foundation was made by the project manager Ketevan Goguadze. Taking into account that the workshop was attended by the high level policy makers it was considered crucial to discuss proposed model of the integrated HIS once again to reach consensus on this issue.

    Topics/questions discussed at the workshop:

    Organizational Structure of HIS Introduction of relevant changes in the legislation (e.g. law on health care, law on public health, and development of “Healthcare Code”), that are required to insure Health status and IDSR data reporting from all autonomous health care facilities to rayon/ municipal public health units Introduction of the unique identification of population

    Organization Structure of HIS: One of the key topics was related to the proposed integrated model of HIS. All stakeholders agreed that having NCDC regional branches would provide very good bases for institutionalizing and implementing upgraded HIS. Agreement has also been achieved on the issue related to the pooling and analysing the data at the regional level. NCDC regional structure would allow better monitoring quality of collected data, and providing technical assistance and on-the-job training to municipal Public Health units and healthcare facility staff collecting and reporting health data from grass root level. All participants also agreed that it is critically important to have public health services at the local level to ensure timely implementation of response measures in case of infectious disease outbreaks. As for their role in implementing HIS, under the proposed model, municipal (rayonal) PH units would be collecting data reports from individual facilities, and further submitting them to regional CPH. It was mentioned that making decision on creating NCDC regional branches is not only responsibility of the Ministry of Health. This issue requires further discussion at the cabinet of Ministers. Decision was made, that recommendations will be prepared and Minister of Health will submit to the Cabinet of Ministers for future discussion.

    Introduction of relevant changes in the legislation: there is a prominent need to introduce changes in the existing laws (mainly law on health care and the law on public health) considering the current context of health care system of Georgia. While recognizing the importance of improving the aforementioned laws, the most important initiative would be introduction of effective mechanisms for implementation of these laws in real life by including administrative sanctions for both private and public facilities/ providers not complying with the defined rules in the “Administrative Code”. Decision was made to create working group at the Ministry of health, that would revise existing laws and “Administrative Code”, make relevant changes and include applicable sanctions (mostly professional, administrative, and financial) for those providers, facilities and local public health units not reporting data to MoLHSA according to defined rules and standards.

    Unique identification of population- introduction of the unique identification of population was considered as very important for the country, however, given the complexity and high cost related to this issue it supposed to be long term perspective. It was also recognized that development of unique identification of population will require inter-sectoral approach and good coordination to make sure that main stakeholders such as line ministries and governmental agencies have coherent vision and implement activities in coordinated manner.

  • Effects of GFATM on Georgia's Health System Development

    The project funded by the Alliance for Health Policy and System Research (HPSR) was implemented in February 2006- 2008 by Curatio International Foundation. The proposed study is a continuation of the baseline research carried out in Georgia during 2004 in accordance with SWEF study protocol on GFATM impact on a national health system.

    The proposed study applied to the already developed study protocol and instruments. It helped evaluate GFATM impact on Georgia’s health system by looking at:

    Policy processes;
    Human resources;
    Pharmaceutical and commodity supply system;
    Public-private mix; and
    Access to services by HIV/AIDS high risk groups and TB patients.
    Results of the study inform the primary health care reform policies of the country about the aim to integrate services for focal diseases on a PHC level. In addition, results also contribute to global evidence on GFATM possible impact on a broader health system. The research findings have following policy relevance: they inform national, as well as international policy makers about where GFATM contributes to the strengthening of health care system in Georgia and what can be done to address weaknesses; it also informs policy makers about where national health care system has degree of similarity with the Georgian one and contribute to the body of evidence being generated by the SWEF research network.

  • Solution to Diarrheal Control in the NIS Region

    The project was implemented in the period of October 2007- December 2008 in partnership with National Center for Disease Control and Medical Statistics (NCDC), Ministry of Labour, Health, and Social Affairs (MoLHSA), and Pediatric Division of Tbilisi State Medical University, and with the financial support of PATH. The project aimed at enhancing Diarrhea Disease (EDD) Control Initiative in Georgia and carrying out activities in support of countries in the EE/CA region to implement their national diarrheal disease control plans.

    Several countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EE/CA) struggle with high rates of diarrheal disease morbidity and mortality among young children.

    These new interventions, rotavirus vaccines, zinc treatment, and low-osmolarity oral rehydration solution (ORS), complement existing approaches such as oral rehydration therapy (ORT), exclusive breastfeeding, and improved sanitation and hygiene, and will contribute significantly to meaningful reductions in morbidity and mortality in many countries. Introduction of these new interventions is hampered by a lack of awareness and diminished prioritization for diarrheal disease control. To overcome this, PATH has created the Diarrhea Disease (EDD) Control Initiative. The goal of EDD is to reprioritize diarrheal disease control at the country-level and develop or revise national diarrheal disease control plans to ensure rapid up-take of new prevention and treatment interventions, and to reinforce the use of established interventions.

    With this aim, under the leadership of PATH/CIF, national working group in Georgia developed the Strategic Plan to improve the control of DD in Georgia with focus on children under-5 for 2008-2010. The plan was presented in Tbilisi, Georgia on January 23-24, 2008 at the EURO/Central Asia Regional workshop “Rotavirus and Diarrheal Disease Control,” held in the frame of the Project. The workshop brought together 50 representatives from EE/CA countries, WHO, UNICEF, and GAVI to share the current evidence, and determine the level of interest, needs, priorities, and concerns of the stakeholders. Participants from following eight countries of EE/CA region attended the workshop: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz republic, Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Participants included leaders and representatives of various sectors involved in child health care, infectious disease surveillance and control, and immunization.

    Other activities carried out in the frame of the project:

    Develop the National Quality Assurance Manual on Diarrheal Diseases for laboratory system. The Manual covers the following diseases: Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Escherichiosis, Campylobacteriosis, Cholera, Adenovirus, Non-Polio Enterovirus, Rotavirus, Norovirus infections, Hepatitis A, Amebiasis. The QAM is available on Georgian, English and Russian languages;
    Review and provide Recommendations on the National Breastfeeding Indicators;
    Inform local pharmaceutical manufacturers on the new treatment methods (new formulation ORS, zinc) by providing useful materials, assisting in contact building to facilitate appearance of new products at the local market;
    Incorporate the modern recommendations for Diarrheal Diseases control into the Family Medicine and Paediatrics Residency Program training curricula;
    Update the National Immunization Program financial management tool (cMYP) that enables to estimate and project costs of the Rotavirus vaccination introduction in the routine immunization calendar.

  • Natia Rukhadze – CIF Researcher at the Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives Network (GHIN) international workshop in Dublin, Ireland

    Natia Rukhadze, presented preliminary research findings of the study “Effects of GFATM on Georgia’s Health System Development” to the global stakeholders. The selected topic for the presentation was “Sustainability of GFATM program supported activities in Georgia”.

    The workshop, which was held from 19-23 November 2007 was organized by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and hosted by the RCSI in Dublin.

    GHIN is a network of researchers in 21 countries who are working together to explore the influence of global health initiatives for HIV/AIDS on countries health systems. GHIN is co-funded by Irish Aid (Irish Dept of foreign affaires) and DANIDA (Danish Ministry of Foreign Affaires).

    The five day Dublin workshop brought together representatives of 15 research teams conducting studies in 15 countries receiving global health initiative funding for HIV/AIDS control. The workshop also included the coordinating teams based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, as well as researchers from four other northern institutions.

    One day of the workshop (Thursday) included global stakeholders, and was hosted by Irish Aid. Stakeholders included representatives from the bilateral donors (Irish Aid, DANIDA, DFID and USAID), the World Bank, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, PEPFAR, UNAIDS, WHO and civil society organizations (Open Society Institute and Centre for Global Development). The one-day meeting with stakeholders had the following objectives: a) to disseminate preliminary findings from the first phase of research to stakeholders and colleagues; b) to debate the policy implications of preliminary findings and the needs of stakeholders in relation to 2008 research priorities, advocacy and dissemination.