Kyrgyzstan Commits to TB-Free Central Asia Campaign

Kyrgyzstan's Health Ministry was represented at the launch of the TB-Free Central Asia subregional initiative, organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe together with five Central Asian states.

The Health Ministry reported that the initiative is aimed at accelerating the elimination of tuberculosis, including drug-resistant forms by 2030, The Caspian Post reports, citing Kyrgyz media.

At the ceremony in Astana, the ministers of health of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan signed a joint declaration, confirming their commitment to joint actions, exchange of experience and strengthening cooperation in the fight against tuberculosis.

The Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic Erkin Checheibaev emphasized that for Kyrgyzstan this initiative is not only of medical, but also of strategic importance. "Kyrgyzstan is consistently implementing a policy to eradicate tuberculosis. We have made significant progress in recent years, introducing rapid diagnostic methods, expanding treatment coverage, and strengthening surveillance systems. However, the ongoing burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic require a new impetus. This is exactly what the WHO subregional initiative will provide,” the minister said.

The TB-Free Central Asia initiative is aligned with the global commitments made at the UN General Assembly and will become a structured framework for assessing and strengthening national efforts in each of the five countries in the region. It will also promote innovation and strengthen the human and technical capacity of TB services.

The Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic reaffirms its commitment to the goals of the initiative and will continue to work to remove barriers, strengthen prevention, and develop sustainable systems for TB diagnostics and treatment in the interests of the health of every citizen.

According to WHO, tuberculosis and its drug-resistant forms continue to pose a significant threat to Central Asia. Every year, more than 35,000 cases of TB and about 8,000 cases of DR-TB are registered in the region. Four out of five countries in the region are among the 30 countries in the world with the highest rates of drug-resistant TB. COVID-19 has negatively affected the diagnosis and treatment of TB, leading to an increase in undetected cases and mortality. Given these challenges, Central Asian countries, including Kyrgyzstan, are seeking to join forces and act decisively and in a coordinated manner.