Progress toward GCC tuberculosis elimination initiative in Saudi Arabia

1
Progress toward GCC tuberculosis elimination
initiative in Saudi Arabia
2
Strengthening DOTS strategy implementation

• The Kingdome implement DOTS-ALL OVER since the
  year 2000.
• Its implementation in the non-MOH governmental
  sectors still needs to be enforced.
• Private sector does not involved until now in the
  management of TB cases.

3
Strengthening Case management

• All smear positive cases are compulsory
  hospitalized during the initial intensive phase
  of treatment.
• All cases with legible residency are legible for
  treatment free of charge.
• No deportation for non-Saudi patients.
• All cases with temporary or illegal residency
  are receiving proper treatment until conversion
  to smear negative or leaving the country.

4
Lab. services

• Direct microscopy using Zeil Neelson satin is
  available all over the country.
• Eight labs. Capable for performing culture on
  fluid media have been established.
• The national references lab. Has been assigned.
• External quality assurance is in progress and
  soon it will be acting.

5
On Job training

• All district coordinators were training on
  management of NTP.
• All primary health care supervisors were trained
  on management of NTP.
• 40 chest physicians were trained on management of
  TB cases.
• 20 lab. technicians were trained on direct sputum
  microscopy.

6
Recording and reporting

• All data related to TB cases are computerized.
• Notification from the districts to the central
  unit is based on individual bases and not
  aggregated data.
• A soft ware program for electronic notification
  of all TB cases was established and training on
  using it is in progress.
• The first step will be notification from the 20
  districts to the central unit and the next step
  will be from the hospitals and PHCs to the
  central unit through the local MOH network.

7
Performance of NTP
Treatment outcome of New SS PTB in Saudi Arabia,
1997-2003
8
Main constraints

• Inability to evaluate our progress in cases
  detection, as ARTI needs to be re-evaluated.
• Rapid turn over of the personnel.
• Co-operation with the non-MOH sectors still needs
  to be enforced.
• No reliable data regarding MDR.
• Lab. Net work capable of performing culture and
  sensitivity needs to be expanded to cover all the
  country.