Arbaminch, Ethiopia – April 8-11, 2025 – KNCV Ethiopia, under the Unitaid-funded ASCENT DR-TB project, delivered a comprehensive four-day training on Active Drug Safety Monitoring (aDSM) to key healthcare professionals serving the South Ethiopia region. The training took place at Daros International Hotel in Arbaminch.

About the training

Participants included DR-TB focal persons and nurses from five treatment initiating centers (Arbaminch, Dilla, Sawla, Wolaita, and Jinka) along with laboratory professionals, clinical pharmacists, and Tuberculosis, Leprosy and other Lung Disease (TBLLD) coordinators from Gamo, Ari, Gofa, Gedeo, and Wolaita Zones, as well as the regional level.

The training was provided by different professionals including senior experts in Programmatic Management of Drug-Resistant TB (PMDT), experts from Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA), the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Service (EPSS), the Regional Health Bureau (RHB), and KNCV Ethiopia.

The interactive training methodology incorporated PowerPoint presentations, case presentations and group work.

Upon completion, the healthcare workers acquired basic knowledge and updates on PMDT, aDSM, PV and the national PV system, ADE diagnosis and management, utilization of ADE reporting tools, the significance of pharmaceutical supply chain in aDSM, roles laboratory professionals can play in aDSM activities, and project data recording and reporting.

 

This enhanced capacity will contribute to improved quality of care for individuals affected by DR-TB through the effective implementation of aDSM, active clinical and laboratory monitoring, and patient-centered care, with a clearer understanding of their individual roles within these interventions.

This activity has been supported by the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, the South Ethiopia Regional State and the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority.