DHAKA, Oct 6, 2020 (BSS) – United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched flagship tuberculosis (TB) activity “Alliance for Combating Tuberculosis in Bangladesh” (ACTB) in Sylhet Division as part of the US government’s commitment to end TB globally.
USAID Mission Director Derrick S Brown launched at Sylhet Sadar lunched the ACTB that works closely with both formal and informal private service providers to refer suspected TB cases to the Tuberculosis Screening and Treatment Center (STC).
The USAID Bangladesh visited the Sylhet region from October 4-6 to observe key USAID activities combating TB as well as complementing the Bangladesh government’s COVID-19 response efforts, an US embassy press release said here today.
Brown along with Line Director of the National Tuberculosis Control Program (NTP) Prof. (Dr.) Md. Shamiul Islam visited STC to observe ongoing TB services amid the coronavirus outbreak.
“It’s an honor to meet dedicated doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and other health workers, and learn how they continue to tirelessly serve people,” he said.
Brown also visited the Regional TB reference laboratory (RTRL) in Sylhet, the first and only containerized biosafety level -3 laboratory for TB in Bangladesh planned, built, and installed with US government assistance, through USAID, and transferred to the Bangladesh government in August 2018.
During his visit, He also met with government officials, frontline health care providers, and program participants.
At the 100-bed Narsingdi District Hospital Brown met with 20 doctors and nurses who participated in USAID-supported training on infection control and case management to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They represent a handful of the 20,000 doctors and nurses, across Bangladesh, who received COVID-19 related training made possible through funding from USAID.
The US government was one of the first donors to mobilize funds to support Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response efforts, contributing over $56.5 million so far, including nearly $38 million from USAID in development and humanitarian assistance.
The US government through USAID, has provided more than $8 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since its independence.