TBC have no borders

In Sz-Sz-B County the number of patients diagnosed with TBC is alarming. The high level of Ukrainian-Hungarian border traffic is expected to increase more in the future. As a result of population migration, previously uncommon or infrequent microorganisms may appear. The main reasons for the spread of TBC are, deep poverty and a significant number of residents, mainly from Romania and Ukraine.
Lead Applicant is working closely with WHO in the fight against TBC. The lung screening system has been developed by the Hungarian pulmonary profession in collaboration with WHO, and as a result of the practice, general lung screening with radiation exposure is no longer mandatory. In the framework of this project SZSZBMK in cooperation with Thoraco-Pulmonary Department of Regional Children’s Hospital (Mukachevo, Ukraine), will act in order to eliminate the existing disparities in the availability and quality of early adequate therapy and prevention of TBC. The project aims to reduce the incidence of the disease by reviewing diagnostic and therapeutic options for childhood TBC on both sides of the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, providing professional guidance, developing prevention and detection, primarily on the Ukrainian side, thereby reducing the incidence of transmitted infections. As a result of the project, it is expected that the total number of TBC cases will be reduced on both sides of the border. The project aims to share know-how, modernize radiology testing capabilities with device development, and plan to acquire low-radiation digital chest X-rays, scanners, and SEFs in order to serve the population of Programme Area on a higher level.
Beside diagnostics development, the development of a communication protocol will also be implemented adding innovative value to the project. In the case of diagnosed TBC infection, an immediate alert will be sent to the partner if the patient has crossed the border recently and has been on the other side for a longer period of time.