AzRC is the member of CCM TB group and has close relationships with Global Fund and National TB Program. Within the CCM group members had meeting about NGOs’ participation and role to the fight against TB in Azerbaijan, which is going to be further illustrated in TB control Strategy Plan for 2015-2020. NGOs working in TB control may become a solid support to the country efforts and it input is inevitable. In close cooperation with government and local and international NGOs, TB partners creating conditions for improvement situation of TB patients, for earlier detection among high risk population groups like prisoners, people living with HIV/AIDS, labor migrants, refugees and IDPs as well does cialis help with premature ejaculation as general population, prevention TB spread and ensuring access to care and treatment.
The AzRC already clarified its particular role in following areas like TB patients finding/revealing and this is going to be done with active involvement/support of the community members and volunteers, treatment prophylaxis, palliative support and prevention, operational and survey research as well as advocacy work.
4 years ago the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society started to implement “Providing medical and psychosocial support to DOTS treatment of TB ill patients” project. This project financially supported by Eli Lilly Agency of USA and with the IFRC technical assistance has implemented control over DOTS+ treatment of MDR TB ill patients in four districts of Baku city. Till present time 5 nurses from local branches of the AzRC previously trained by National Tuberculosis Program of the Ministry of Health of Azerbaijan Republic about Control over DOTS+
treatment of MDR TB patients paid visits six day per week to more than 25 MDR TB patients.
It is well known that everyone has a need for a kind word. But patients need a kind word much more than other people. The biggest problem that people ill with TB face in their society is a stigma and a fear of isolation. Therefore people ill with TB prefer to conceal their diseases from others. However, there are still people in our society who provides care and attention to people ill with TB. When seeing such attitude TB ill patients became very happy and they do not avoid from communication.
Within the framework of the project a project coordinator and a psychologist, the nurses meet regularly with TB ill patients registered in TB dispensary for districts of Baku city. During these meetings surveys are been conducted in order to learn the needs and living conditions of TB ill patients, to assess the progress of a treatment, positive and negative effects of medicines taken by TB ill patients. According to the words of patients this kind of meetings helps them to finish completely their treatment and in the end to recover from TB. One of these regular meetings with TB ill patients was organized in Binagadi district on the 22nd of July and on the 23rd of July in Yasamal and Nasimi districts of Baku. These meetings were organized in one of the cafes. The project staff of the Az.RCS had a sincere conversation with TB ill patients and their family members during a tea party there. During the meeting some of patients receiving a treatment said that their hearing ability has reduced as a result of taking medicines. Some patients spoke about their communal problems, such as their houses are humid, there is no much light and air in their rooms. Most of TB ill patients said that they are unemployed.
TB ill patients and their family members noted a positive effect of a treatment to the health of TB ill patients. During our talk with TB ill patients they especially emphasized care and assistance provided by Az.RCS nurses. A chairman of Yasamal district branch of the Az.RCS participating at the meeting wished good health to TB ill patients and their family members. He also mentioned that TB ill patients and their family members may apply to the local branch of the Az.RCS whenever they feel a need.
At the end of the meeting on the occasion of Ramadan Holiday and World Humanitarian Day hygienic and food sets were distributed to TB ill patients.
Matanat Garakhanova
“Community based health” project manager