On 26 January 2021, an agreement was signed on cooperation between the pediatric phthisiology unit of the State Organisation “F.G. Yanovsky National Institute of Phthisiology and Pulmonology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine” and the Charitable Organisation “The Ukrainians Against TB” Public Movement” Foundation” in dealing with pediatric tuberculosis.
Tuberculosis is one of the biggest socioeconomic problems worldwide and, in particular, in Ukraine. In 1993, the WHO declared TB a global humanity problem. Every year the disease kills about half a million people.
Presently, amid the rapid spread of extensively drug-resistant TB, 10 Ukrainians die of TB every day. Ukraine ranks 2nd worldwide in XDR-TB prevalence and is one of the world’s ten countries with the highest multidrug-resistant TB prevalence.
Amid the spread of MDR-TB, tuberculosis is especially dangerous to children and adolescents. According to the official statistics, in Ukraine about 1,000 children become ill with TB every year.
At the same time, according to WHO data, the estimated average TB morbidity rate in children in Ukraine is 37.4 per 100,000 people, or 2,500 children, which is 4.5 times the official figure.
The present-day attention to the problem of dealing with pediatric TB worldwide is connected, first and foremost, to the fact that the tasks that were to be performed haven’t been completed (WHO, 2017).
The proposed tools and approaches outlived their usefulness and haven’t led to expected results. It became clear that the systemic approaches to dealing with TB should be changed.
So, many documents prepared by international organisations (WHO, CDC, KNCV) in recent years call for:
– paying attention to the issue of pediatric TB, since in countries with a high TB burden, even children get infected with MDR-TB, and development of local TB can be prevented;
– improving methods for treatment and specific diagnostics of TB infection in children;
– exercising control over latent TB infection (LTBI).
Currently, areas related to studying MDR-TB in children are getting increasing attention.
The system of providing TB care for children needs upgrading, further scientific development, better methodological support. All this requires political, scientific and financial support.
Given the aforesaid, the State Organisation “F.G. Yanovsky National Institute of Phthisiology and Pulmonology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine” and the Charitable Organisation “The Ukrainians Against TB” Public Movement” Foundation” concluded an agreement.
The Agreement provides for development and implementation of projects aimed at establishing close cooperation and consolidating efforts of the parties to the Agreement directed towards determining and coordinating positions on key issues, preparing and holding joint measures, ensuring communication between stakeholders etc.
Also, the parties to the Agreement will jointly discuss, organise and hold public events as part of implementation of their joint projects. The State Organisation “F.G. Yanovsky National Institute of Phthisiology and Pulmonology”, under joint projects, will provide informational and methodological support for planned events. Jointly prepared informational, advisory and other materials concerning the subject matter of the Agreement will be published in mass media.
The Charitable Organisation “The Ukrainians Against TB” Public Movement” Foundation”, under joint projects, will carry out advocacy, communication and social mobilisation measures aimed at performing tasks set.
Charitable Organisation “The Ukrainians Against TB” Public Movement” Foundation”