On November 16-17, 2006, Kherson held a concluding annual conference of the World Heath Organization "Implementation of the adapted DOTS strategy in 5 Oblasts of Ukraine".
 
The WHO report on operation of the DOTS anti-tuberculosis system in Ukraine in 2006 was rendered during the conference. Over 150 specialists from different Oblasts of Ukraine, representatives of NGOs, WHO, Ministry of Health of Ukraine and Phthisiology and Pulmonology Institute named after F.G. Yanovskiy took part in the conference.
 
"For Ukraine a problem of tuberculosis is one of the most topical health problems. DOTS is a world-recognized effective anti-tuberculosis strategy which has already showed itself in many countries of the world. In Ukraine, DOTS program of tuberculosis diagnostics and treatment was successfully implemented in Donetsk Oblast in 2001-2004," Kęstutis Miškinis, the medical anti-tuberculosis adviser, a WHO representative to Ukraine, said.
 
DOTS program was implemented in Donetsk Oblast in 2001 - 2004 as a pilot project. High effectiveness of the project caused the implementation of the DOTS strategy in another 5 Oblasts in Ukraine: Kherson, Zaporozhie, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov Oblasts and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
 
On the basis of DOTS system operating in Donetsk Oblast it is supposed to implement the DOTS-PLUS treatment program for drug-resistant tuberculosis as a pilot project. The project will be implemented by the World Heath Organization in tandem with the SCM's Corporate Foundation for Development of Ukraine.
 
"For us it is the most important health project. It is meant to further development of one comprehensive anti-tuberculosis system in Ukraine. DOTS-PLUS is the first systemic approach of struggle against drug-resistant tuberculosis in Ukraine. We have studied the world practices and chosen this system. DOTS-PLUS in Donetsk Oblast is a kind of a pilot project, which in future may be an example for other Oblasts of Ukraine. The official presentation of the project will be held on November 22 in Kiev. It will cover the essence of the DOTS-PLUS strategy and represent an implementation plan," Denis Denisenko, the manager of the Foundation for Development of Ukraine, said.
 
 
Reference
Foundation for Development of Ukraine is a non-profitable organization founded by SCM Group on July 15, 2005.
The budget of the Foundation is formed at the expense of SCM Company. The areas of activity of the Foundation include: contemporary education, health of the nation and cultural heritage.
The projects of the Foundation for Development of Ukraine are being implemented in seven Oblast s of Ukraine (Kyiv, Lvov, Zakarpatie, Kharkov, Lugansk, Dnepropetrovsk and Donetsk Oblast s) and in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations specialized agency for health. It was established on 7 April 1948. WHO's objective, as set out in its Constitution, is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in WHO's Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
 
DOTS is the internationally-recommended TB control strategy and combines five elements: sustained government commitment, effective laboratory-based diagnosis, standard short-term chemotherapy, secure drug supply, and systematic monitoring and reports.
 
DOTS PLUS Strategy, in contrast to DOTS, is aimed at fighting drug-resistant tuberculosis.
 

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