Launching the project "Tuberculosis control in the Vietnam-Cambodia border area phase 2"

SGGPO May 19, 2023 16:37

On May 19, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) of the United Nations, in collaboration with the Vietnam National Tuberculosis Control Program and the Cambodian Center for Tuberculosis and Leprosy Prevention (CENAT), held a workshop to launch the project "Tuberculosis Control in the Vietnam-Cambodia Border Area Phase 2".

Overview of the project kick-off workshop "Tuberculosis control in the Vietnam-Cambodia border area, phase 2"

The project aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis for people who frequently travel in the border area between Vietnam and Cambodia, and enhance cooperation between health agencies in the four provinces of An Giang and Tay Ninh (Vietnam) and Svay Rieng and Takeo (Cambodia).

Speaking at the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Binh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Central Lung Hospital, Deputy Head of the Executive Board of the National Tuberculosis Control Program of Vietnam, said that Vietnam and Cambodia are two countries facing the burden of tuberculosis. Although there has been significant progress in reducing the incidence of tuberculosis, both countries face a lack of financial resources to completely eliminate tuberculosis.

In addition, in the general context of the world being heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic for 2 years, TB prevention work in Vietnam and Cambodia has been affected to some extent. The number and mortality rate due to TB in Vietnam in 2021 is estimated at 12,000 people, an increase of 34.8% compared to 2020. This figure in Cambodia is 3,400 people, an increase of 5% compared to 2020. We are facing the risk of TB outbreaks in the community.

According to Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Binh Hoa, in order to increase access and record more undetected TB patients, as well as ensure that vulnerable, high-risk groups and the community in general, and migrants crossing the border area in particular, can access quality TB diagnosis and treatment services, the Vietnam-Cambodia Border Tuberculosis Control Project Phase 2 has been approved by the Global Fund from 2022 to 2024.

The Project expansion aims to contribute to enhancing cooperation between Vietnamese and Cambodian health agencies in An Giang , Tay Ninh, Svay Rieng and Takeo provinces, to ensure tuberculosis prevention and control activities in the border areas between Vietnam and Cambodia.

"The project needs the support of leaders at all levels, domestic and foreign partners and the whole society to develop and promulgate favorable mechanisms and policies, as well as commitments and financial support to synchronously implement priority interventions, contributing to increasing migrants' access to TB diagnosis and treatment services, in line with regional and global commitments," Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Binh Hoa informed.

Speaking at the workshop, Chan Yuda Hout, Director of the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Centre of Cambodia, said that migrants often face poor and cramped living conditions. They rarely seek health care services and have delays in diagnosing their illnesses, making them vulnerable to contracting and contracting tuberculosis.

In addition, migrants have difficulty accessing TB diagnosis and treatment services due to lack of health insurance, stigma, discrimination and undocumented legal status. Likewise, the economic burden associated with TB diagnosis and treatment can have negative impacts on migrants and their families.

Source