Belarus

2019

15 - 19 July, 2019

Technical assistance visit to NRL in Minsk conducted by Evgeni Sahalchyk and Uladzimir Antonenka with the following activities:

• Implementation of DST for DLM, BDQ, CFZ and LZD: preparation of working solution, QC procedures, DST procedure, reading and reporting.

• QMS assessment in the NRL. 

May 2019

Technical assistance with development of the specimen transportation guidelines for the pilot project on specimen transportation with state Post service in Minsk Region.

2 - 3 April, 2019

Two SRL experts from Gauting were invited to visit NRL in Minsk for the first time. The visit was conducted by Dr Harald Hoffmann and Dr Uladzimir Antonenka with the aim to discuss the newly established collaboration framework. Both NTP and NRL managers were personally met together with other national and international stakeholders to discuss collaboration priorities and action points for coming years.

2018

• • December 2018 - Collaboration agreement signed with SRL Gauting

  • November 2018: The Belarusian NRL was visited by Ramona Groenheit and Mikael Mansjö to present results from the ongoing Bedaquiline and Delamanid surveillance study. A theoretical and practical demonstration of DNA extraction for whole genome sequencing was organized and labpratory staff was mentored and trained on performing drug susceptibility testing (DST) for bedaquiline and delamanid in the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) system. 

  • March 2018,  technical visit to NRL with the following objectives: follow up and report on the Bedaquiline and Delamanid surveillance project; report the results from the Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) External Quality Assurance (EQA) panel (if results had been reported by time of visit); discuss the whole genome sequencing relapse study, selection of patients and the preliminary results where there were discrepant phenotypic and genotypic results; theoretical and practical demonstration of DNA extraction for whole genome sequencing; follow up the implementation of line probe assays in the national laboratory network; discuss needs and priorities for future support by SRL Stockholm

2017

• The yearly proficiency panel for EQA of M tuberculosis 

  • The Belarusian NRL and TB laboratories of level II, III and IV were visited by Sven Hoffner, Ramona Groenheit and Jim Werngren to get an overview of the diagnostic laboratory network and diagnostic services offered. Results from the ongoing Bedaquiline surveillance study were presented.

  • A theoretical and practical Line Probe Assay workshop was organized at SRL Stockholm where Alena Nikolenka and Valiantsina Lobik participated.

  • Collaboration agreement with SRL Stockholm renewed

2016

• • The yearly proficiency panel for EQA of M tuberculosis. 

2015

• • The yearly proficiency panel for EQA of M tuberculosis 

2014

• • The yearly proficiency panel for EQA of M. Tuberculosis

  • The Belarusian NRL in Minsk was visited by Sven Hoffner to follow up the implementation of rapid tests to detect resistant TB and to discuss the ongoing PZA/FQ study. 

2013

• • The ongoing PZA/FQ study, where SRL-Stockholm collaborates with Belarusian NRL in Minsk was discussed at a meeting At WHO-HQ. SRL-Stockholm represented by Sven Hoffner and Jim Werngren.

  • The yearly proficiency panel for EQA of M tuberculosis 

2012

• • The Belarus NRL in Minsk was visited by Sven Hoffner and lab-management training was offered

  • The yearly proficiency panel for EQA of M tuberculosis. 

2011

Collaboration agreement signed with SRL Stockholm