The former Soviet Union (FSU)—through the Sanitary-Epidemiologic Service (SES)—developed an extensive system of disease surveillance that was effective, yet centrally planned in Moscow. Even after the fall of the FSU in 1991, most newly independent states maintained all or parts of the SES structure. However, even 15 years later, the loss of economic and technical assistance from Moscow has negatively impacted the effectiveness and efficiency of disease surveillance in these republics, including Armenia and Georgia. In 2005, Armenia and Georgia reported tuberculosis (TB) incidences of 71 and 83, respectively, per 100,000.
Objective
To enhance its effectiveness and efficiency, we evaluated TB surveillance in the FSU Republics of Armenia and Georgia.