Project overview

Funded by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria (GFATM), the UNDP “Effective HIV and TB control in the Kyrgyz Republic” project aims at reducing the burden of HIV and TB in the Kyrgyz Republic by providing timely and quality prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The project works to strengthen the health care system in the country, and recently has also adapted its activities to help fight the new Covid-19 pandemic in the framework of an additional grant.

Background

HIV and TB epidemics remain acute problems for Kyrgyzstan’s health care system. Between 2013 and 2019, the number of registered HIV cases in Kyrgyzstan doubled (9135 in 2019). The HIV epidemic in the country continues to be concentrated among key population groups, with an increase in the share of women diagnosed. 70% of registered cases are due to sexual transmission. Concerning TB, Kyrgyzstan is one of the 30 high burden countries for drug-resistant TB, with around 29% of newly registered cases and 68% of previously treated cases that are drug-resistant (according to data from the WHO).  These problems have become even more urgent to address following the COVID-19 pandemic, which, as scientists have warned, will have negative effects on TB and HIV control programs around the world.

The Sustainable Development Goal 3 set by the UN is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, at all ages, including putting an end to the AIDS and TB epidemics by 2030. To this effect, UNDP has been effectively implementing GFATM grants since 2011.

Key activities:

HIV: The project purchases quality treatment for people living with HIV. The project works with 17 NGOs and 2 state medical organizations to prevent HIV in key groups of the population (men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, people living with HIV and their partners, imprisoned people). This includes providing consultations and support, free and regular rapid HIV testing among communities, prevention material (condoms, syringes), methadone therapy, and shelters for the most vulnerable; conducting behavior change activities; promoting advocacy, protecting rights and decreasing stigma and discrimination.  

TB: The project purchases quality drugs and injections for the treatment of M/XDR-TB (multidrug or extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis), enabling the system to provide free treatment for all patients in Kyrgyzstan. It ensures timely ordering and delivery of drugs, safe storage and distribution. The project also provides case managers to support patients on treatment for M/XDR-TB and reduce the number of patients interrupting their treatment, distributes financial motivational payment to patients, and promotes alternative treatment methods like video observed treatment. The project encourages early detection of TB, including in children by supporting activities like Computer Tomography (CT) and contact tracing. In addition, the project supports laboratories around the country and transportation systems for timely monitoring to guarantee the best possible treatment outcomes. Like in its HIV component, the program also supports TB advocacy, legal framework, stigma reduction and protection of patients’ rights.

COVID-19: The project quickly adapted to the Covid-19 pandemic, purchasing the necessary equipment for the health care system and helping partners adapt their response to HIV and TB in this context. The program continues to mitigate risks among TB and HIV services and help them continue their work.

Expected results:

The overall goals of the HIV/TB Program include the following:

(a) to minimize the impact of the HIV epidemic by reducing 50% of the incidence and mortality by 2023 compared to 2015, as a stage towards eliminating the epidemic in Kyrgyzstan by 2030;

(b) to improve the treatment success rate among drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis to 75% by 2023.

The objectives of the Program include the following:

(a) Reduce the number of new HIV infections, especially among key populations ("KPs") by 70% by 2023 compared to 2015;

(b) Ensure that 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) are aware of their HIV status;

(c) Cover 90% of PLHIV with ARV therapy ("ART") and achieve viral load suppression in 90% of people receiving ART by 2023;

(d) Achieve a reduction to less than 2% of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, which will lead to its elimination;

(e) Reduce the level of stigma and discrimination to zero in government organizations providing H|V-related services to KPs and PLHIV;

(f) Reduce to zero the number of laws, other regulations and practices that discriminate against PLHIV and KPs;

(g) Ensure coordination and sustainable financing of HIV response measures by gradually increasing the share of government funding for HIV prevention and treatment programs to 60% by 2023;

(h) Ensure universal access to timely and quality diagnosis and treatment of all forms of TB, including MDR and extensively drug-resistant ('XDR') TB. 

Status: Active

Start date: January 1^st 2021

Projected end date: December 31^st 2023

Geographic coverage: Kyrgyz Republic

Subject area: Health

Project coordinator: Itana Labovic

Partners: Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Republican AIDS Center, National TB Center, Republican Center for Addictions, NGOs, Regional AIDS and TB centers

Funding Source: The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria

Budget

Total budget: $27,452,200

2021 – $7,300,129

2022 – $10,039,018

2023 – $10,113,053