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International Activity Report 2016

Russian Federation

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MSF in Russia MSF continued to run tuberculosis (TB), mental health and cardiac care programmes in Chechnya.
Russia Map IAR 2016

For many years, MSF has been working closely with the Chechen Ministry of Health, to implement a TB treatment programme. After handing over the management of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) treatment to the ministry, MSF focused on extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB), a type of TB that is resistant to second-line drugs. MSF procured appropriate medicines, including new and repurposed drugs, to provide regimens that are more effective than the conventional treatment for patients with XDR-TB. The TB programme also includes laboratory support, health promotion and psychosocial assistance for patients and their families.

In 2016, MSF continued to care for TB patients with diabetes co-morbidity, regularly monitoring their blood sugar and adjusting their treatment as required, and helping them to manage their condition. A total of 60 patients with diabetes and TB, and 79 patients with XDR-TB, were under treatment in December 2016.

In 2016, teams provided individual psychosocial care for 4,838 patients and 314 group counselling sessions for victims of violence in the mental health programme.

Cardiac care in Chechnya

MSF continued to support cardiac care in the emergency hospital in the capital, Grozny, and in Urus-Martan hospital, by supplying drugs and medical equipment and improving the quality of care for acute patients. A masterclass was organised with specialists from the Medical University of Dusseldorf to enhance the technical skills of the Grozny interventional cardiology team. The focus was on angiography (an imaging technique to examine the inside of coronary arteries) and angioplasty (a procedure to widen narrowed or obstructed coronary arteries).

In 2016, the cardiac resuscitation unit admitted 1,327 acute patients, 413 of whom benefited from an angiography, and 397 from an angioplasty.

Patient story

Ruslan Ozdoyev – 32-year-old

In June 2014, 32-year-old Ruslan Ozdoyev became MSF’s first XDR-TB patient in Chechnya to start a new treatment regimen containing bedaquiline. Within two months of treatment, he tested negative for TB. On 15 July 2016, Ruslan was declared cured.


“I was admitted to the hospital with the most complicated diagnosis of TB. I weighed 75kg before the disease. After I fell ill, my weight dropped to 40kg. I was taking drugs, but there was no improvement. In July 2014, they started me on a new treatment. In the beginning it was very tough. I was nauseous and vomited, but began to get better after some time. My weight went up to 70kg. I want to thank everyone who took care of me. Now this is the treatment that really works.”

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