About Us

State Agency of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases of Latvia

The State Agency of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases of Latvia (SATLD) manage the Latvian National TB Program, which was in the vanguard of TB control efforts in the region. The basic TB program was initiated in 1995, in advance of the rest of the former Soviet Union and follows the WHO DOTS strategy. By 1999, nearly 95 percent of the population was covered by DOTS and the cure rate was 72 percent, approaching the WHO global target of 85 percent. Latvia was the only country in the region performing large-scale treatment of MDR-TB patients according to WHO’s DOTS-Plus strategy, with 200-250 patients annually being treated with drugs funded by the Latvian government. Because of the complexities of managing MDR-TB and the danger of developing resistance to the remaining anti-TB drugs, the WHO recommends that treatment be provided only in specialized centers, such as the SATLD’s Center of Excellence, with highly trained clinical staff and a high quality laboratory. The SATLD is a treatment and teaching facility with the capacity to conduct theoretical and practical training in all aspects of TB management and control, including role of PHC, laboratories and surveillance. It has ongoing research projects covering these parts of TB control (see http://www.tuberculosis.lv).

WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Management of Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis

Vision
To eradicate MDR TB in the World.

Mission
To provide medical staff from countries with a high burden of MDR TB an opportunity to study and implement the DOTS Plus program in treatment of MDR TB.
To advance research and disseminate knowledge that enables health care workers to better treat this disease in their respective countries.

Goal
Encompasses strong coordinated and effective TB and MDR TB training and education that address various levels of needs and offers guidance, materials and information that customer (TB programs) can tailor to fit their own needs and circumstances.

History

2000	Training for Latvia experts on MDR TB treatment and Management - CDC/USAID Improvement of Laboratory diagnostic methods Implementation of Infection control measures at SATLD Implementation of case management strategies ambulatory
2001	Establishment of video conferences capabilities with CDC Successfully completed two test training sessions evaluated by WHO representatives
2002	Five training sessions Development of the business plan - UAMS/AIHA Reconstruction of Bacteriology laboratory
2003	Six training sessions New training program - TB infection control developed in close collaboration with CDC/USAID
2004	Nine training sessions Development of the marketing/research plans - UAMS/AIHA/USAID Acknowledged as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in MDR TB (WHO CC LATVIA)
2005	Fourteen training sessions Completion and implementation of marketing/research plans
2006	Fourteen training sessions First field training session for nurses in Mosvcow ( Russia) Registering in register of Ministry of Education and science Republic of Latvia as Department of Science and Education
2009	Redesignated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in MDR TB (WHO CC LATVIA)