Designup

Category: HIV/AIDS and Desease Surveillance

  • 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.

  • The Study on System-wide Effects of the Global Fund on Georgia’s Health Care Systems posted on GHIN website

    The country case summary displayed on GHIN website was prepared as part of the academic consortium of the WHO Maximizing Positive Synergies between health systems and GHIs initiative. The study assesses the effects of the Global Fund funding on the health system in Georgia.

    It focuses on the policy environment, public-private interactions, human resources and access to HIV/AIDS services.

    The effects of Global Fund funding on Georgia’s health system were assessed in a two phase study conducted during 2004-2008. The study was part of the System Wide Effects of the Fund (SWEF) Network, which participates in the Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives Network (GHIN), where researchers explore the effects of Global Health Initiatives (GHI) on HIV/AIDS programs and health systems of the countries.

    The findings presented draw from a base-line survey implemented in 2004; the survey was carried out in 35 health facilities, in 26 districts, with a follow up study a year later.

    Follow the link to view the article.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Cooperation in Health Care System Transformation in Georgia-CoReform Project, 2004-2009

    In 2004 with the financial aid of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission in the Caucasus, the project “Cooperation in Heath System Transformation Project” commenced. The project was completed in September 2009. The project provided technical assistance to the Government of Georgia (GoG) to strengthen its capacity to transform the health system of the country into a more efficient, accountable, and transparent one. With the cooperation of the Ministry of Labor, Health, and Social Affairs (MoLHSA), Abt Associates (Abt), Care International (CARE), Emerging Markets Group (EMG), and Curatio International Foundation (CIF), the project was designed to assist the government of Georgia to improve its health care financing system, reproductive health support, family planning (RH/FP), and strengthen health institutions at the national level.

    Activities were designed to position the GoG to adopt an innovative and comprehensive approach towards formulating solutions that address significant equity and affordability gaps in the health system, high abortion rates, and the limited donor coordination.

    The project consisted of the following major components:

    Health Financing and Policy Development;
    National Health Accounts;
    Family Planning and Reproductive Health;
    Organizational Development and Donor Harmonization.
    National Health Accounts was implemented by CIF in close cooperation with MoLHSA and an intersectoral working group represented by following agencies: Public Health Department, Ministry of Economy, State Statistic Department, Insurance State Supervision Board, Insurance Association, SUSIF, Ministry of Finances, Statistic and Disease Control Centre, and National Institute of Health and Social Issues. The main goal of the project was to implement and institutionalize National Health Accounts (NHA) as a policy tool and integrate it within broader health system reforms. This component took place in the period of September 2004 -September 2007.

    Family Planning and Reproductive Health has been implemented by Care International, which has specific responsibility to implement this component in close partnership with CIF. The main goal of the reproductive health (RH) and family planning (FP) policy component of the project was to achieve an improved legislative, regulatory, and policy framework to provide an adequate supply to the increased demand for quality reproductive health services. The RH/FP policy team strategy was to assist the MoLHSA by supporting the policy working group at national level. The activities of the reproductive Health Policy Working Group were designed to achieve objectives related to the improvement of access to RH/FP services. Target outputs of the policy working group included: a comprehensive review and analysis of the current policy and regulatory framework governing the provision of and access to family planning and reproductive health information and services; a National RH/FP Policy to enhance access to and delivery of quality RH services; the National RH Strategy for the purpose of providing guidance for activating the RH policy; and drafting legislation in support of the Georgian RH Policy, in order to provide the MoLHSA and the government with a legislative platform to implement the Policy (in progress). This second component of the project took place between October 2004 and September 2008.

    Organizational Development and Donor Harmonization. The main goal of this component of the project was to achieve a “better functioning of the MoLHSA through improvement of the functioning of organizations within the health sector, establishment of coordinated linkage between policy planning, project design, and project implementation.” Since 2004, the CoReform OD Team has been providing significant assistance to the MoLHSA and its affiliated agencies to define their core functions, to put in place functional structures with clear roles and responsibilities, establish a health policy process that is more transparent and systematic, institutionalize donor harmonization and coordination as a routine function of the MoLHSA, and build the capacity of the Ministry staff to enable them to effectively carry our their newly defined roles and responsibilities. The key implementer of this component during the optional period (October 2006 – September 2009) is CIFs in close partnership with Abt Associates, which had been performing specific responsibilities in the Project Base Period (October 2004 – September 2006). The major strategies of the component are: the MoLHSA System Reorganization, Performance Improvement, Policy Cycle Management, and Capacity Building.

  • 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”.

  • 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.