InternationalIncurable forms of TB challenge Armenia – and the world
Public health specialists and international organizations in Armenia speak out
Published: Friday December 12, 2008
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Based on the MSF pilot project, Mr. Ferrier said it is important to individualize treatment, based on the patient's response to various drugs, side effects, other ailments, and similar considerations. He said the Ministry of Health needs to develop firm yet flexible guidelines. "The attitude of healthcare providers in Armenia is that they can only do what is explicitly allowed," he said. "Our attitude is that we can do whatever is not forbidden. We come across new challenges every day, and physicians need to be creative in their solutions."
The National TB Program, under the auspices of the Ministry of Health, declined repeated requests for an interview. However, the program is hosting a two-day conference for journalists on December 13-14 as part of an effort to get the word out about TB.
Indeed, Dr. Petrosyan said fear and stigma attached to TB are among the factors that contribute to inadequate treatment. "TB in Armenian society carries a huge stigma. Even health providers are afraid of patients with TB," she said.
An intensive effort
An important contribution might be a public awareness campaign to help people and health providers better understand the disease. "We need to understand that TB is curable if managed properly," Dr. Petrosyan added.
In October, a conference brought together all the major stakeholders in the fight against tuberculosis in Armenia. They included Armenia's Ministry of Health, its National TB Program, the Global Fund, MSF France, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and others.
The conference considered a study carried out by the American University of Armenia on behalf of the ICRC. The study will be released in January, Dr. Petrosyan said.
A five-year grant from the Global Fund supports TB treatment in Armenia. A second grant, under consideration, would build on that support starting in 2009. Mr. Ferrier said that the fund's Green Light Committee has set forth certain criteria; if Armenia's healthcare system meets those criteria, anti-TB drugs will become available to Armenia at about a quarter of the market cost.
