Subject: RE: Follow-up HCV Elimination in Harm Reduction
From: Tamar Gabunia </O=EXCHORGANIZATION/OU=EXCHANGE ADMINISTRATIVE GROUP (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/CN=RECIPIENTS/CN=E6CA04F38EC94D0CADAB9CBDF90FCDDE-TAMAR G>
To: "Averhoff, Francisco (CDC/DDID/NCHHSTP/DVH)" <[email-masked]>
Cc: Irinka Tskhomelidze <[email-masked]>, Lia Gvinjilia <[email-masked]>, Tinatin Kuchuloria <[email-masked]>
Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2020 05:54:41 +0000

Dear Dr. Averhoff

Many thanks for your e-mail. I’ll explore this and get back to you on Monday.

Have a great weekend.

Best

Tamar

პატივისცემით,

თამარ გაბუნია

მინისტრის პირველი მოადგილე

Sincerely,

Tamar Gabunia, MD, MPH

First Deputy Minister

From: Averhoff, Francisco (CDC/DDID/NCHHSTP/DVH) [mailto:[email-masked]]
Sent: 17 January, 2020 22:02
To: Tamar Gabunia <[email-masked]>
Cc: Irinka Tskhomelidze <[email-masked]>; Lia Gvinjilia <[email-masked]>; Tinatin Kuchuloria <[email-masked]>
Subject: Follow-up HCV Elimination in Harm Reduction

Dear Dr. Gabunia, I hope you had a wonderful New Year and Christmas!  I wanted to follow-up on the below, from our email communication and meeting during TAG.   I understand that there is a bit of a “slowdown” around decentralization efforts at Harm Reduction sites, due to pending Ministry Approval (I copy/past here for your convenience and highlight the critical elements);  I feel these steps are critical in accelerating the Elimination efforts.  Let me know your thoughts about this. I look forward to meeting you soon, I cc our team for any questions you may have.  Best, FA

1. Questions about the status of the HCV care integration project into HR settings.  Last year 3 HR and 1 private OST sites started delivery of HCV care as part of the CDC funded pilot project led by Maia Butsashvili. Towards the end of 2018 HRU was funded to expand the HCV care and treatment to 4 additional HR sites; however, the Ministry of health has not cleared/approved the new sites yet and we would like to ask her help with speeding up the process of approval.  What are the prospects of fast-tracking these approvals?

Francisco Averhoff MD, MPH

CAPT US Public Health Service

Associate Director for Global Health

Division of Viral Hepatitis

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Road, MS G-37

Atlanta, GA 30333

phone: 404-718-8501

fax: 404-718-8588

e-mail: [email-masked]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Averhoff, Francisco (CDC/DDID/NCHHSTP/DVH) <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, Nov 5, 2019 at 6:02 PM
Subject: Upcoming TAG Meeting and Other
To: Tamar Gabunia <[email-masked]>
Cc: Lia Gvinjilia <[email-masked]>, Irinka Tskhomelidze <[email-masked]>, Nasrullah, Muazzam (CDC/DDID/NCHHSTP/DVH) <[email-masked]>, Glass, Nancy (CDC/DDID/NCHHSTP/DVH) <[email-masked]>, Tinatin Kuchuloria <[email-masked]>, [email-masked] <[email-masked]>

Dear Dr. Gabunia,

I hope this email finds you well, I look forward to meeting you in the next few weeks! There were a few things that I am sure will come up, that I wanted to bring to your attention for your thoughts and consideration, I have listed below:

1. Questions about the status of the HCV care integration project into HR settings.  Last year 3 HR and 1 private OST sites started delivery of HCV care as part of the CDC funded pilot project led by Maia Butsashvili. Towards the end of 2018 HRU was funded to expand the HCV care and treatment to 4 additional HR sites; however, the Ministry of health has not cleared/approved the new sites yet and we would like to ask her help with speeding up the process of approval.  What are the prospects of fast-tracking these approvals?

2. I would like to propose a meeting with you (Dr. Gabunia), Dr. Amiran, Carolyn Wester (the new DVH Director and Chair of TAG- my boss) and me to discuss the topic of CDC support continuation.  The reason for this is that it is necessary for Georgia to continue to be a priority for CDC, and Dr. Wester’s support is critical.  I was thinking maybe lunchtime on Nov 18th?  Let us know, Irina can assist in arranging, and would be good if you and Dr. Amiran are on the same page.

3. I would like to request confirmation of presenters from the Ministry of health for the following presentations:

- Progress and challenges of the HCV Elimination Program in Georgia, 2015-2019

- TAG 2018 recommendations, the status of the infection prevention and control: successes, challenges, and plans to address challenges.

Again, Irina can provide more details about the TAG schedule.

I look forward to meeting you  soon, and let me know any questions, or I will be in Tbilisi 12- 22 November and of course we can meet at your convenience.

I cc CDC team for awareness and support.

Best regards, FA

Francisco Averhoff MD, MPH

CAPT US Public Health Service

Associate Director for Global Health

Division of Viral Hepatitis

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1600 Clifton Road, MS G-37

Atlanta, GA 30333

phone: 404-718-8501

fax: 404-718-8588

e-mail: [email-masked]

--

Best regards,

Irina Tskhomelidze,

CDC South Caucasus Office

9 M. Asatiani  str.  0177 Tbilisi,Georgia

Tel: (995 598 708 807)