Subject: Announcing the award of the USAID Kyrgyzstan TB Program
From: Diana Silimperi <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:10:08 +0000

Dear IHD Colleagues,

I’m thrilled to announce that Abt has been awarded the USAID Kyrgyzstan TB Program under a five-year cooperative agreement with total funding of $12.7 million.  The project is designed to reduce the burden of tuberculosis (TB) and the development of drug-resistant TB in the Kyrgyz Republic and to support universal and equitable access to high quality TB services for vulnerable populations through a strengthened and sustainable health system.

The Kyrgyzstan TB Program is Abt’s first TB bilateral project as prime partner, strategically expanding our infectious disease portfolio.  Tuberculosis is a significant public health issue in the Kyrgyz Republic, with one of the highest incidence rates in the region at 128 cases per 100,000 population in 2011. Increases in pediatric TB and multi-drug-resistant (MDR) TB deaths are particular causes for concern.  The Project will build on more than 20 years of Abt’s important work in the former Soviet countries of Central Asia to support strengthened health systems and institutions, health financing reform and quality service delivery, promoting more efficient, accessible, patient-centered health care.

After 6 months and 3 BAFO rounds, congratulations to the KR TB proposal team led by Martha Benezet and including Sara Feinstein, Sheila O’Dougherty, Barton Smith, Ted Hammett, Olga Zues, Charity Ngaruro, Tim Irgens, Adetayo Omoni, Rakhat Cholurova, Chinara Seitalieva, Jean Margaritas, Leah Ekbladh and Ananya Price,  as well as reviewers Jeff Barnes, John Osika, Mark McEuen, Margarita Fernandez and David Elkins, from IHD.  Congratulations and thanks also to Jonathan Angerer,  Erin Mohebbi, Busi Langa, Deborah Ventimiglia, Kerry DeSomma, and Pat Poulton of GBDU; Jamie DeSalu of HR; Brad Longman, Krista Pages, and Kevin Wiedmann of Contracts; and Janelle Poldy of Global Operations Control.

Our country-based project team will be led initially by acting Project Director Dr. Roza Adilbekova, a medical doctor with over 14 years of experience designing, managing, and implementing TB programmatic activities in Central Asia and one of the leading TB experts in the region.  The Portfolio Manager in Bethesda is Jeff Barnes, Technical and Quality Assurance Advisor is Martha Benezet, and the Technical Coordinator is Sara Feinstein. Almagul Saparbayeva is the Finance and Contracts Administrator.

FHI 360 will subcontract to Abt on laboratory and MDR-TB activities.  Local Kyrgyzstan NGO project partners include Fountain of Life (TB among homeless individuals), Alternative to Narcology (people who inject drugs and/or on methadone therapy), and Red Crescent (released prisoners and migrant populations). Abt is also pleased to continue our collaborative relationship under the USAID/CAR Quality Project with the Family Group Practice and Nursing Association (FGPNA) and the Hospital Association of Kyrgyzstan (HAKR). The cost-share partner is Resources & Policy Exchange (RPX), an international organization with strong local ties in the region. RPX will provide, train and monitor use of new, U.S.-made medical resources and food supplies to strengthen treatment of TB patients under the national health system.

This is a great win, which expands our TB portfolio and also maintains an important presence in Kyrgyzstan for  the next 5 years!

Diana