Hanoi (VNA) - ﷽USAID is intensifying efforts and collaboration with partners to support countries, including Vietnam, in efforts to bring tuberculosis to an end.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is a leading bilateral donor in the global fight against tuberculosis, and is collaborating with partners to support countries, including Vietnam, in the fight.

Aler Grubbs - Director of USAID in Vietnam

The biggest challenge in ending tuberculosis in Vietnam is the gap in diagnosis. Currently, 40% of tuberculosis patients in the country are undetected and untreated at healthcare facilities.

As noted in the joint statement from the Vietnamese and US on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, their shared commitment to ending tuberculosis is one of the key pillars in the long-term partnership. USAID is working towards achieving common goals in peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.  

Aler Grubbs - Director of USAID in Vietnam

USAID is enhancing services and raising awareness about tuberculosis. Since 2019, it has been collaborating with Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis Control Programme to focus on long-term impacts by enhancing services and raising awareness.

The USAID-funded “Support to End Tuberculosis” project, implemented by FHI 360 in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Control Programme, is supporting 9 priority cities and provinces in Vietnam. From August 2020 to December 2023, the project detected 17,861 tuberculosis cases and 9,894 latent tuberculosis infections, with a detection rate of 1,330/100,000 chest X-ray exams. The project continues to provide technical support to all 63 cities and provinces to enhance their capacity to implement the 2X strategy for tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis detection through training courses and clinical consultations.  

Aler Grubbs - Director of USAID in Vietnam

The project worked with the National Tuberculosis Control Programme to improve national guidelines for tuberculosis control. This includes updating technical guidelines like Decision No 162/QD-BYT and developing management and treatment guidelines for drug-resistant tuberculosis.

The project has launched an upgraded version of the VITIMES software, designed to manage tuberculosis cases. This software aids tuberculosis control programmes with efficient management and policy planning through timely information.

Aler Grubbs - Director of USAID in Vietnam

We provide comprehensive support to healthcare in high tuberculosis areas and offer technical assistance to share innovations for tuberculosis control efforts across all cities and provinces in Vietnam. If we collaborate to screen, treat, and prevent tuberculosis, we can save lives./.