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Category: NEWS

  • Sentinel Surveillance Method to Provide Reliable HIV/AIDS Statistical Data

    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” Curatio International Foundation has launched 2 sentinel surveillance sites at STI clinics.

    In March 2009 two surveillance sites were established at STI Clinics in Tbilisi and Batumi. The effort representing one of the components of the Global Fund project “Establishment of evidence-base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening the HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country” aimed at calculating HIV prevalence among sub-population. Both sites were equipped with test systems necessary for implementation of sentinel epidemiological surveillance. During four months 988 and 254 patients have been tested in Tbilisi and Batumi respectively.

    Collection of data through sentinel surveillance will make possible to provide evidence-grounded HIV/AIDS statistics and strenghten HIV/AIDS surveillance in Georgia.

    The results of the survey will be available by the end of July.

    In the framework of the same project the Behavior Surveillance Surveys (BSS) with biomarker component among intravenous drug users (IDUs), Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs), and prisoners has 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.

  • Mr. George Gotsadze approved as a Permanent Member of the Global Fund TRP

    By the decision of the Global Fund 19-th board meeting Mr.George Gotsadze, the Director of Curatio International Foundation was appointed as a Permanent Member of the Technical Review Panel (TRP).

    On May 5-6, 2009 at the Global Fund 19-th board meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland the decision upon appointment of Dr. George Gotsadze as a permanent member of the Technical Review Panel (TRP) was made. Mr. Gotsadze will serve as a member up to four rounds commencing from round 9.

    The TRP consists of a maximum of 40 experts. Experts are appointed by the Board for a period of up to four Rounds and are assigned diverse membership opportunities. The Board usually relies on an independent panel of international experts of health and development to guarantee the integrity and consistency of an open and transparent proposal review process and thus support implementation of sound and cost-effective initiatives against fighting AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

    Learn more about TRP and Global Fund’s board decisions.

  • The research article on Household Catastrophic Health Expenditure-evidence from Georgia and its policy implications published in BMC Health Services Research

    On April 28,2009 the research article on Household Catastrophic Health Expenditure-evidence from Georgia and its policy implications was published on the online scientific journal BMC Health Services Research. The research undertaken by the highly qualified experts of Curatio International Foundation was funded by the organization itself. The study was based on the data of the Health Care Utilization and Expenditure survey conducted during May-June 2007 prior to preparing for new phase of implementation for the health care financing reforms. It aimed at quantifying extent of catastrophic household health expenditures, exploring its influencing factors and estimating fairness in Financial Contribution (FFC) index in Georgia to establish the baseline for expected reforms and contribute to the design and the fine-tuning of the major reforms in health care financing initiated by the government mid-2007. The research results show that in Georgia between 2000 and 2007 access to care for poor has improved slightly and the share of households facing catastrophic health expenditures have seemingly increased from 2.8% in 1999 to 11.7% in 2007. Follow the link to read the article.

  • CIF Hosts workshop on Classifications for Hospital and Laboratory intervention

    On March 5, 2009 the CIF, in the framework of USAID funded CoReform project organized the workshop on Classifications for Hospital and Laboratory intervention.

    On March 5, 2009 the workshop on Classifications for Hospital, Ambulatory and Laboratory interventions was held. Over 23 participants representing MOLSHA, Health and Social Programs Agency (HeSPA), Georgian Insurance Association (GIA), Social Services Agency, private insurance companies and USAID along with other members of the project attended the workshop. Event participants were presented and handed-over those classifications (NCSP and laboratory interventions) which do not require license as a necessary precondition for implementation.

    The effort became possible in the framework of one of the components of the USAID funded CoReform project which aims at supporting insurance companies in registering and processing the information received from providers and establishing effective reporting system between private insurance companies and the Ministry. This was achieved through a) translating and adapting to the Georgian realities international classifications for medical interventions: NOMESCO Classification for Surgical Procedures (NCSP) and the International Classification for Primary Care (ICPC 2) developed by WONCA; and b) developing suitable for Georgia laboratory interventions widely using international experience.

    After securing license for ICPC2 (since NCSP does not need it) the Ministry planns to issue normative decree to make all classifications official national classifications.

  • National Conference in the framework of the Global Fund funded project

    On December 24, 2008 the first phase of the project “Establishment of evidence base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening of HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country” was closed by the National Conference.

    The event highlighted crowning achievements of the project and aimed at presenting National HIV/AIDS Surveillance Plan, Electronic Management Information System and all activities implemented on the path of project implementation period.

    The convention hosted the Minister of Health, Labor and Social Affairs, Head of the Health and Social Affairs Committee of the Georgian Parliament, and representatives from donor organizations, National Center for Disease Control and Public health, Center of Infectious Disease, AIDS and Clinical immunology and NGOs focusing on HIV/AIDS issues.

    The first phase of the project covered the period from February 2008 till December 2008 and was implemented in the capital Tbilisi and regional city Batumi by Curatio International Foundation in partnership with Georgian Infectious diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Public Union “Bemoni” and association “Tanadgoma”. The effort is funded by the Global Fund.

  • CIF conducted a workshop to discuss HIV/AIDS Surveillance System Assessment results

    Trainings on Mental Health Financing conducted with the financial support of Adam Smith Foundation end successfully. 25 representatives from Mental Health NGOs, Association of psychiatrics, psychiatric coalition, ombudsmen office and media enjoyed an opportunity of gaining sound understanding of conceptual model of mental health financing. On June 9 the conclusive meeting following the series of trainings on Mental Health Financing was held. It summed up the experience gained during the training course by the participants, appraising effectiveness of the course, and analyzing results of the survey carried out on the previous meeting.

    Trainings conducted during April 22- May 15 2008 were delivered by the highly qualified consultant trainer Dr. George Gotsadze. 25 representatives from Mental Health NGOs, Association of psychiatrics, psychiatric coalition, ombudsmen office and media enjoyed an opportunity of gaining sound understanding of conceptual model of mental health financing.

    The course consisted of 4 comprehensive, interactive type trainings each of them increasing capacity of participants for advocating for the needs of mentally ill people through intense engagement with the government on public financial management.

    Comparative analysis of local practices of mental health financing with this of selected European countries gave the rich landscape of sources and chains of mental health financing.

    The evaluation questionnaire delivered at the end of the course proved the trainings highly informative and beneficial since they enabled organizations to fully realize their shortfalls and take actions for improving their performance.

    This effort became possible in the framework of the project implemented by the Curatio International Foundation with the financial support of Adam Smith Foundation.

  • CIF conducted a workshop in the framework of the project funded by the Global Fund

    On March 31, 2008 a stakeholder workshop to introduce project goal and objectives, project components, main activities and project time-frame was held at the Hotel “Ambasadori”. The workshop was organized in the framework of the project “Establishment of evidence base for HIV/AIDS national program, by strengthening surveillance system”, funded by the Global Fund and implemented by Curatio International Foundation in partnership with Georgian Infectious diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Public Union “Bemoni” and association “Tanadgoma”.

  • The Global Fund Contracted Curatio International Foundation for Consulting Services

    Curatio International Foundation was contracted for consulting services in the following three areas of operation and grant management support:diagnostic and remedial action planning in Global Fund grant countries facing implementation challenges;governance and oversight processes for Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs); analysis and documentation of case studies of innovative country partnerships that provide examples of best emerging practices or offer models to share among partners.

    The purpose of these Indefinite Quantity Contract (IQCs) is to establish a mechanism through which the Secretariat can effectively and efficiently supplement its capacity to manage the risks of the grants, identify the challenges to implementation and oversight, and to document these and other grant processes and activities of note.

    Task Orders will be awarded to the selected Contractors on an as-needed basis to provide the resources necessary to perform diagnostic analyses on grant implementation issues, such as program management and implementation capacity; financial budgeting, planning and reporting; procurement and supply management; and monitoring and evaluation. In the area of CCM Functioning, contractors will be asked to conduct workshops, facilitate restructuring efforts, or design assessment tools to support the effective governance role of the CCM.

    These contracts have been awarded on a regional basis and Curatio International Foundation has won this IQC contract for Easter Europe and Central Asia region along with EPOS Health Consultants (Germany) and Emerging Markets Group (USA).

  • 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.