Audit of MDR-TB Programs in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
26 August 2022
Nine countries in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region are among the 30 countries with the highest burden of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the world. The Global Fund Secretariat has prepared an EECA regional strategy to accelerate and sustain progress made in the fight against TB. However, significant challenges hinder grants from achieving their intended impact.
Based on the OIG audit, our opinion is that:
- The Global Fund’s approach to implementing its EECA strategy is rated as partially effective.
- The implementation of grant activities to ensure effective MDR-TB case finding is rated as partially effective.
- The implementation of grant activities to ensure effective enrolment and treatment of MDR-TB patients is rated as partially effective.
For key achievements and good practices, we recognize that a strategic plan and priorities for the EECA region are in place. We also saw declining TB incidence and increased treatment success that have contributed to a reduction in TB mortality alongside increased government commitment for TB response.
Among the key issues and risks identified, recommended remedial actions include:
- Better monitoring of Global Fund strategic priorities in EECA is needed to achieve grant impact.
- MDR-TB case finding needs improvement.
- Need to improve patient treatment enrolment and address treatment gaps.