What adaptations were made in TB response during Covid-19 pandemic in Georgia: a health systems perspective on the implications for TB case detection and treatment provision.

Project duration

12-month long project (June 2021-June 2022)

Introduction & Overview

TB remains one of the top infectious killers worldwide. It is anticipated that global burden of TB most likely will increase due to Covid-19. To cope with this challenge, the country should prepare and implement mitigation measures and before doing so, an assessment of the National TB Program’s capabilities is essential.

This project studies:

1. How is the TB response affected by Covid-19 and by introduced lockdowns?
2. What should the TB program do to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on TB prevention and care services?

It is expected that this study will produce evidence that may help decision-makers in Georgia develop effective strategies for improving TB response. Considering that many countries in the region face a similar challenge the solutions identified for Georgia could potentially be interesting for other countries.

Project Objectives

Generate evidence about TB response adaptation to the Covid-19 pandemic in Georgia: Highlighting main achievements and challenges.

Develop recommendations for decision makers and program managers on measures to decrease the impact of Covid-19 on TB prevention and care services.

Disseminate the study findings to the wider audience in the Eastern European Region for understanding possible programmatic challenges along with possible solutions that can be replicated.

Organizations Involved

CIF, WHO TDR, National Center for Tuberculosis Control and Lung Disease of Georgia (NCTLD)