Children can contract and get ill with TB more easily than adults. The statistics show that every third underage TB-infected child expels TB mycobacteria, i.e. has an open infectious TB form. Therefore, alongside other projects under Stop TB program, the FDU initiated a campaign to buy modern diagnostic and treatment equipment for children departments at TB facilities in September.

TB establishments from 20 Ukrainian oblasts have submitted applications outlining their needs for equipment. The Foundation has decided to support all applications of children department at Yanovsky Institute of Phthisiology and Pulmonology, which cures gravest TB cases and has a team of trained specialists to operate the latest equipment. All other regions will also receive most necessary equipment to improve treatment and diagnostics of children’s TB. The equipment to be purchased comprises ultrasonic nebulizers, fiber-optic bronchoscopes, spirographs, ultra-high-frequency treatment units, as well as equipment for laboratory diagnostics.

The equipment will be supplied to the regions within October-December 2008. The representatives of FDU will take a personal part in handover ceremonies in six cities.

15 October – Dnepropetrovsk
16 October – Zaporozhye
20 October – Khmelnitsky
21 October – Lvov
22 October – Rovno
28 October – Sevastopol

Other important projects by FDU intended to protect children from TB epidemic include establishing rehabilitation center for TB infected children as well as encouraging research in this area. All activities under Stop TB project initiated by Rinat Akhmetov’s Foundation for Development of Ukraine target to introduce systemic changes in the activities fighting TB epidemic.

8 october 2008
Kiev