Early detection of cystic echinococcosis and triaging management according to World Health Organization (WHO) staging facilitates best patient outcomes. On the occasion of the 29th World Congress on Echinococcosis (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 28–30 August 2023), WHO in collaboration with the Association of Hydatidologists of Kyrgyzstan and international experts held the first FASE (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Echinococcosis) training course in Kyrgyzstan, at the Kyrgyz State Medical Institute of Post-Graduate Training and Continuous Education named after S. B. Daniyarov.
“We conduct FASE training in Argentina on an annual basis as a fundamental activity in the national control programme for cystic echinococcosis. It has shown its value over the years” says Dr Leonardo Uchiumi (Surgeon, Ultrasonologist and Member of the Cystic Echinococcosis Control Programme of Rio Negro Province, Argentina).
The one-day course on 28 August was adapted from the FASE course developed and implemented in Rio Negro, Argentina. Thirty radiologists and attending physicians from the four Bishkek city rayon (districts) and from Bishkek hospitals participated in the training course, which enabled them to update their knowledge and hands-on skills in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and clinical management of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis; both diseases are endemic in Kyrgyzstan.
“Additional countries will be able to benefit from the FASE approach and improve patient outcomes if we can replicate the training. We often also take the opportunity of these trainings to remind participants of the transmission cycle and that we must not forget the importance of a One Health approach to prevent the disease in humans” added Dr Francesca Tamarozzi (Microbiologist-Ultrasonologist, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital, Verona, Italy).
The training also covered the ethical use of population-based ultrasound screening. On completion of the training, participants received a course certificate.
The principal organizer of the training, Kubanychbek Abdykerimov, a veterinarian from Kyrgyzstan pursuing his PhD studies at Zurich University, Switzerland is considering scaling up access to better health outcomes in his countries and sees more opportunities: “This course was truly valuable and we think that expanding it to health providers in rural settings of high endemicity would bring true benefits to the patients”.