Filha tuberculosis project in St. Petersburg began with a preparatory phase in 2000-2001. The first phase of the project was carried out in 2002-2004 and the second phase in 2005-2007. The third phase of the project was launched at the beginning of 2008 and it shall continue until the end of 2009.

The project aims to train health care workers at a different levels. By organizing seminars and training courses the project shall improve the competence of health care workers, who are engaged in anti-tuberculosis work, to align tith the international recommendations on TB diagnostics and treatment. One of the project goals is also to enhance the cooperation between different institutions treating tuberculosis patients in the St. Petersburg region and provide training on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).

Improving the laboratory diagnostics of tuberculosis is a central component of the project. A quality unit on smear microscopy has been established at the bacteriological laboratory of the St. Petersburg City TB Dispensary, and participation of the laboratory in external quality assurance has been supported. Introduction of rapid automated culture methods for tuberculosis diagnostics is among the key issues in the laboratory sector during the III phase of the project.

The tuberculosis situation in St. Petersburg is not the worst in Russia (TB incidence among permanent residents was 32,3/100.000 inhabitants in St. Petersburg in 2007). However, increasing numbers of MDR-TB patients, who are hard to cure, deteriorating HIV-epidemic, high numbers of TB cases among prisoners and large amount of illegal immigrants are serious challenges to the performance of the anti-tuberculosis work in St. Petersburg.

In May 2008 Filha and the St. Petersburg City TB Dispensary organized an international seminar on MDR-TB, which was dedicated the memory of the late Secretary General of Filha, Professor Kaj Koskela.

The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has been funding the Filha project in St. Petersburg within the cooperation programme with neighbouring areas.

More information: senior medical officer Arvid Nyberg, tel. +358 9 4542 1283