The leading agency of TB services, the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Tuberculosis and Phthisiology started the preparations for the implementation of the program in January 2011. The Center was closed for renovation and modernization. “We must remain the leading medical institution on the basis of which the physicians of the regional TB facilities should be trained in advanced techniques of treatment and prevention,” notes Mirzagolib Tillashayhov, director of the Center of Phthisiology.

The specialists of the Center were involved in introduction of DOTS program for therapeutic treatment of tuberculosis to the practice of local clinics. Today they are working on elaboration of the methods of treatment of tuberculosis resistant to drugs under the DOTS + program. Also, the Phthisiology Center shares with the local medical institutions the experience in establishing of reference laboratories, where the drugs effective to treat a particular patient are selected. A similar unit has already been established in Nukus and five more regional laboratories will be opened in the coming years.

“Reconstructed and re-equipped buildings of our Center will be the part of the program for reconstruction and modernization of the institutions of TB services in the regions,” stresses Tillashayhov. “The improvement of medical buildings is carried out taking into account the fact that patients stay there for the first two months of treatment. For example, we will use advanced design solutions to decorate our children’s division that will contribute to better emotional condition of young patients and their speedy recovery.”

The priority attention is paid to the equipping of the Phthisiology Center. The Ministry of Healthcare will purchase digital X-ray scanners and ultrasound devices of the last generation by the opening of it. For the first time will the TB service of the country receive a CT scanner. There is much work to improve phthisiosurgery service. Mirzagolib Tillashayhov told about it in details:

“Our Center will have four operating rooms. They were equipped taking into account the need for further introduction of high-tech reconstructive surgery. In the course of these manipulations we will be able to replace an affected organ, which can significantly improve the quality of life of the patient after treatment. One of the four operating rooms will be equipped with surgical endovisual equipment. Modern technology allows the removal of affected tissues and organs through a puncture of soft tissue. We start to introduce these technologies to the domestic TB service.”

As a part of the program to combat tuberculosis the country will also create brand new mechanisms to ensure the stable supply of TB institutions with medical equipment and drugs needed for the wide application of modern highly-efficient treatment methods. The doctors believe that the earlier identification of tuberculosis and providing the patients with high-quality treatment is the most appropriate and effective way to combat this disease.