Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (March 26, 2012) – One month long campaign dedicated to the World TB Day was launched in all regions of the country. The Grants Implementation Unit of the Global Fund grants / UNDP, together with partner organizations (Ministry of Health of KR, MH NTSF, Project HOPE, USAID, ICRC) have implemented an information campaign under the slogan "Stop TB, while I'm alive!".
On March 23, 2012 in Bishkek there was a press conference held with participation of heads of state and international organizations working in the field of tuberculosis. Samatbek Toymatov, Head of therapeutic and preventive care department of the Ministry of Health, Avtandil Alisherov, Executive Director of the National TB Center, Anna Chernysheva, Head of the Grants Implementation Unit of GFATM / UNDP, Chinara Kamarli, USAID representative, Karymbaeva Salia, WHO representative, talked about the campaign and general situation with tuberculosis in the country.
During her speech, Anna Chernysheva noted that tuberculosis (TB) is no less a problem than the spread of HIV infection in the Kyrgyz Republic. "HIV in combination with TB is the main cause of death among HIV-infected patients. Therefore, it is necessary to implement projects for outpatient treatment, prevention and improving adherence to treatment of patients with HIV / TB. We should also pay attention to the growth of tuberculosis among children in families, where parents are TB patients. Despite the fact that GF grants provide with means for treatment of adult TB patients, we are able to provide sick children with treatment due to being efficient and economical. In addition, during the planning of the Phase 2, Round 9 GFATM for 2013-2015 we will assign means to fight Tuberculosis among children", - summed up the Head of Grant Management Group GFATM.
The Global Fund Grant is designed for 5 years. A grant in the amount of 26 million U.S. dollars is implemented together with the partner organizations. According to Anna Chernysheva, these funds are insufficient to combat the spread of TB. Therefore, additional donor funds are necessary.
After the press conference, Victory square of Bishkek hosted a mass sprint contest with a slogan "I am stopping TB". About 200 students of medical schools of Bishkek participated in the event to attract attention of public authorities to the problem, inform the general public about the necessity of timely medical care and promote healthy lifestyles.
Winners and participants were awarded with prizes and gifts. At the end of the event partcipants launched balloons symbolizing life without tuberculosis.
On March 19-20 2012, three well-known radio stations in Kyrgyzstan, "Europe +", "Retro FM», «Kyrgyzstan Obondoru" launched a series of programs on tuberculosis. Information about the activities of international organizations working in the field of tuberculosis was presented to the attention of radio listeners.
Kubanych Mamatov, the Coordinator of TB Component under GFATM / UNDP, participated in the morning program of radio station Kyrgyzstan obondoru. He spoke about the ongoing anti-tuberculosis activities in the framework of the GFATM grant for TB in Kyrgyzstan. In particular it was noted that the Global Fund Grant funds today help 760 TB patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) form of disease receive treatment. For the whole period of the implementation of DOTS-Plus Program, Global Fund financed the treatment of 1550 patients.
All anti-TB state institutions are provided with medical supplies, products for medical purposes, and informational and educational aids.
From March 1 to June 15, 2012 under the financial support from the Global Fund Grant for tuberculosis in Kyrgyzstan, UNDP will hold a competition among the media for the best coverage of TB in the country. The aim of the competition is to increase awareness about prevention and control of TB in Kyrgyzstan, and to overcome stigma and discrimination against patients. The membership of the screening committee will include one representative of the organizers of the competition and experienced journalists. The best works will be awarded with prizes.
