New approaches to combating HIV and TB epidemics are being discussed in Kyrgyzstan

The National Conference “New Challenges: HIV and TB” opens in Bishkek. On September 18 and 19, the representatives of the governmental, international and public organizations will discuss policy in countering epidemics, the economic opportunities, and innovative approaches to treatment.
Vladimir Zhovtyak, the President of ECUO, will give the presentation “Urgency of using the best approaches in the HIV treatment” at the conference.    
“Kyrgyzstan experiences not such difficult situation with the HIV epidemic compared to Russia and Ukraine, but it can worsen if the particular multisectoral actions are not taken on time. Therefore, during the conference, we will talk about the need to use innovative drugs in HIV treatment regimens. We will speak about the important role of the civil society and people living with HIV in countering HIV/AIDS epidemic.
We focus on the fact that our region suffers from three epidemics: HIV, TB and hepatitis. Obviously, in this regard, the action plan should be triune to address these challenges comprehensively“, – says the President of ECUO, Vladimir Zhovtyak.
According to “AIDS” Center of the Ministry Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, the country as of September 1, 2017, registered 7264 HIV cases, of them 907 – on AIDS stage.
“To my mind, the National Conference “New Challenges: HIV and TB” in Kyrgyzstan is an extremely important event which will especially consider the situation with the transition of the HIV-related services to the state financing. The participation of all communities affected by HIV in this conference is highly important. As they may direct the conversation on the state financing of HIV services to the constructive decisions when the interests of those for whom these services are intended are taken into account. Today, in Kyrgyzstan, there are all prerequisites for the effective dialogue and partnership between the state and civil sector to overcome the epidemic in the country. At the same time, very important is not to miss the urgent issues, especially related to discrimination of the key groups vulnerable to HIV. You can not simultaneously try to ensure the maximum coverage and adherence to treatment, and at the same time push them underground by various discriminatory practices. I think the broad representation of the communities on the conference will allow and raise these questions”, – notes the specialist on community mobilization of the ECUO Secretariat, Oksana Dobroskok.