Welcome to TB Symposium
Welcome Note
Country Representative of Médecins Sans Frontières in Tajikistan
This is the tenth TB symposium hosted by Médecins Sans Frontières and the Ministries of Health of the region. This is for the second time the symposium is being held in Dushanbe. The topic of this year’s TB symposium, “Scientific Breakthrough: Solution for DR-TB Is in Our Hands”, reflects the unprecedented scientific and practical advances in TB treatment in recent years resulting from innovative scientific research, particularly the first ever randomised controlled clinical trial, TB-PRACTECAL, which was led by Médecins Sans Frontières.
Innovations in diagnosis and treatment have the potential to make TB treatment more effective and tolerable for patients. But what is the benefit of innovation if it is not reachable and affordable for patients? What is the benefit of new medicines if they cannot be procured and prescribed when needed? When innovation is encouraged and positive outcome becomes available, we can achieve a lot.
We become stronger and more confident in tackling TB when we understand each other and see what we have in common. Undoubtedly, cooperation between different regional and international organisations plays a crucial role in this process of mutual understanding.
I invite all participants to discuss and share your valuable knowledge in this forum. This way, together, we will pave the way for a tuberculosis-free world and a better future.
Iqbal Huda
Country Representative of Médecins Sans Frontières in Tajikistan
Welcome Note Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan
It is a great honour for me to welcome participants and guests to the Regional Symposium on Tuberculosis Treatment in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, which is hosted jointly by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republican Centre for Tuberculosis Protection and the international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières/ Doctors Without Borders.
The year marks the 12th anniversary of our cooperation. Over these years we have achieved significant reduction of TB burden in Republic of Tajikistan, decreased TB morbidity and mortality, introduced new methods of TB diagnosis and treatment and special attention is paid to TB treatment for children.
Regional scientific-practical medical symposium is an open platform to exchange experience and knowledge with leading world experts in the field of innovative and interdisciplinary approaches in phthisiology and introduction of new methods of diagnostics and treatment of tuberculosis.
I would like to wish all the participants of the symposium fruitful work, success, useful and productive meetings and strengthening of ties and contacts between scientists and specialists from different countries.
Djamoliddin Abdullo Abdullozoda
Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tajikistan