Wednesday, May 25, 2022
5/25/2022
The Puerto Rico Tuberculosis Control Program (TBCP) central office, part of the PR Department of Health, is committed to the control and eventual elimination of tuberculosis as stated in Healthy People 2030 Immunization and Infectious Disease goals. The jurisdiction serves 3.2 million persons in the island and give occasional laboratory support to US Virgin Islands. Mayor atmospheric catastrophe (Hurricane Maria) and the Island’s fiscal bankruptcy have resulted in approximately 600,000 population loss and disruption in medical services that have led to a decrease in reported jurisdictional TB cases. The above mentioned and the fact that almost 20 percent of our reported cases were identified at death exemplifies that there is underreporting and under diagnosis in our jurisdiction. The proposed grant application will help obtain assistance needed for securing resources for surveillance, program planning and evaluation, consultation services to healthcare providers, oversight of TB efforts at the regional level, TB laboratory services, and human resource development. Strategies and activities to achieve our goals will include advising providers on TB diagnosis and adequate treatment, and emphasizing on case management for ensuring treatment adherence and completion in a timely and accurate manner. Another strategy is to improve diagnosis and treatment of persons with latent TB infection, with emphasis on high risk groups, such as contacts to infectious TB patients, foreign-born persons, and others (patients with HIV, diabetes, incarcerated, and IVDA users) as resources allow, by enhancing collaboration with organizations and providers that serve these groups. Adequate collection and reporting of individual LBTI for contacts, immigrants, and refugees will also be strengthen, as resources allow. The TBCP will conduct program evaluation as a critical tool for ensuring program improvement towards national performance targets. To improve labor atory capacity and ensure high quality and prompt TB laboratory services, data/practices will be evaluated to address areas for improvement. Expected outcomes at project completion cycle include achieve/approach NTIP National TB Program Objectives & Performance Targets for 2020, improve educational strategies to healthcare providers for identification and treatment of TB, improve case management, continue development of human resources strategies to address areas for improvement, and strengthen TB laboratory capabilities.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
