The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) donated tablets to the Republican AIDS Centers for children living with HIV in all regions of Kyrgyzstan. Purchased under the country grant given by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria for a total of USD 79 488, these tablets aim to support children in their treatment and provide innovative tools for HIV education.

480 school aged HIV positive children (7-18 years old) will receive tablets. These will not only enable them to follow classes online during the Covid-19 pandemic, in case of school closures, but also help them access online medical, social and psychological consultations, training programs and information on HIV. It’s especially important to encourage adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), monitor their health, inform them on HIV, provide sexual and reproductive health education, help them accept their status and communicate with other children in the same situation. 

Currently, UNAIDS, UNDP and the “Partner Network” Association are developing a unique mobile app on HIV, which will be available in Russian and Kyrgyz languages end of 2021 and provide information on HIV prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Children living with HIV will be able to receive answers to their questions through online consultants’ support, learn more about their disease and how to live with it, and become more involved in their health.  

Many of these children were infected with HIV in hospitals in the early 2000s and, in addition to their health issues, feel discriminated and isolated. Supporting them in all areas of their lives is essential to help them live happy lives despite their status.

Every year, the UNDP project “Effective HIV and TB Control in the Kyrgyz Republic”, funded by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria organizes with partners a summer camp for children living with HIV and their parents, giving both children and parents the opportunity to openly discuss HIV-related questions, receive information, learn how to cope with stigma and discrimination and how to accept their status, and meet their peers. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this activity had to be cancelled in 2020 and in 2021, which is why the funds were reallocated to the purchase of tablets for online support.

The UNDP and its partners actively support children living with HIV with medical, psychological, social and legal assistance and health education.

Press contacts:

Ainagul Abdrakhmanova

ainagul.abdrakhmanova@undp.org

+996 770 183 493