19.03.2026
Launch of a Weekly International TB and NTM Consilium with Partners in Ukraine
At the beginning of the month, a weekly international multidisciplinary TB and NTM consilium was launched by staff from the Research Center Borstel together with partner institutions in Ukraine. The case discussions will take place weekly via videoconference over the next two years and enable continuous professional exchange between the participating institutions..
Within the consilium, complex clinical cases of tuberculosis (TB) and nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseaseare presented, jointly analyzed, and discussed from a diagnostic and therapeutic perspective in an interdisciplinary setting. Experts from Clinical Infectious Diseases, the Clinical Study Center, and the National Reference Center for Mycobacteria at the Research Center Borstel participate in the discussions together with colleagues from V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University, and the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.
In addition to joint case discussions, the consilium also serves as a platform for medical education and training for the participating Ukrainian partner institutions. At the same time, the German partners benefit greatly from the experience and expertise of their Ukrainian colleagues, particularly in the management of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, which occurs considerably more frequently in Ukraine than in Germany.
The cases discussed so far have also clearly highlighted the challenging conditions under which medical care currently takes place in Ukraine. Clinical decisions often need to be made under wartime conditions and with limited resources—diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, or therapeutic options are not always readily available. The exchange within the consilium makes it possible to develop pragmatic solutions together and learn from each other. At the same time, there is great respect and appreciation on the German side for the work of Ukrainian colleagues, who continue to ensure the care of patients under these difficult circumstances.
The consilium is part of the cooperation “BREATHE – Building REspirAtory and infecTious disease Education And HEalthcare capacity in Ukraine,” a two-year project aimed at strengthening medical education and clinical expertise in infectious and respiratory diseases. The project is funded through the Hospital Partnerships Programme by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ).
Weitere Informationen:
Contact
Dr. med. Thomas Theo Brehm
FG Klinische Infektiologie
Forschungszentrum Borstel, Leibniz Lungenzentrum
Parkallee 35
23845 Borstel