Review of the national tuberculosis programme in Belarus. 8–18 December 2015 (2016)

Belarus is a top priority country for prevention and control of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB). In October 2011, the WHO Regional Office for Europe conducted a comprehensive review of the national TB programme (NTP). In 2015, it was decided that a further review should be carried out to follow up the recommendations of the 2011 review and to consider additional challenges arising from new evidence and policies in recent years. The second review took place from 8 to 18 December 2015 with the participation of nine international and eight national experts who visited four areas of the country (Minsk city, Minsk region, Gomel region, Mogilev region). While acknowledging the important progress made since 2011, the review team also provided some recommendations for improvement to the Ministry of Health and the NTP.