Rinat Akhmetov Foundation upgraded the Kharkiv Regional TB Dispensary with the modern diagnostic equipment
19.07.2013
July 19, 2013 the new molecular-genetic TB diagnosis department was opened in the bacteriological laboratory at the Kharkiv Regional TB Dispensary No. 1. The modern diagnostic equipment (biosafety cabinets, centrifuges, autoclaves, thermostats, freezers, etc.) and theirs consumables totaling $ 4.5 million UAH were procured and supplied by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation to improve the quality of TB diagnosis in the Kharkiv region within the program “Stop TB in Ukraine” supported by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
“Now, the Kharkiv Regional TB Dispensary holds the first molecular-genetic laboratory in Ukraine providing significant time reduction for TB diagnosis from 3 months to 2 days. As a result, a patient can quickly get 99.98% accurate test results with the spectrum of drug resistance to all TB drugs and immediately start treatment under correct regimen being the key to successful treatment of such severe disease as MDR-TB”, – said Anatoly Zabolotny, Director of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation for “Development of Ukraine”.
By automating the ultramodern laboratory analyzers the workload on lab has increased to 96 samples (patients) per day providing access to rapid methods for all patients who need diagnosis. That is, upon lab opening 95% of patients are able to get an accurate DR-TB test result within 2 days.
The automation of laboratory TB diagnosis not only improves the accuracy and reduces the time of diagnosis, but also minimizes the TB contraction risk among laboratory staff, which significantly increases the prestige of this profession. The modern methods and equipment reduce the risk of morbidity among lab personnel to 0%, as the staff works directly with DNA and not infectious material.
The opening of modern diagnostic department in the Kharkiv Regional TB Dispensary No.1 became possible due to effective public-private partnership between the Kharkiv Regional State Administration and the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation for "Development of Ukraine". That is why the region has become a pioneer in implementing best international standards and practices of lab diagnosis.
By the end of the year, within the “Stop TB in Ukraine” program another PCR laboratory (performing molecular-genetic TB diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction) shall be opened in Mykolaiv region.Upon successful piloting, the expansion of PCR laboratories and international standards for TB diagnosis is planned for other regions of Ukraine.
