UNODC Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic Marked the World AIDS Day in Kyrgyzstan

UNODC, being one of the co-sponsoring agencies of the global Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids (UNAIDS), works to support the efforts of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic and civil society sector in development and implementation of programmes of prevention and attention specific to drug users and populations living in prisons and other freedom-restrictive settings, including those for adolescents in conflict with the law.

 

On the World AIDS Day, UNODC Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic completed a five-months campaign under the moto ‘Equalize’ which involved the Government, civil society and people living with HIV/AIDS.

“As we continue to assist the Government in implementing comprehensive and large-scale prevention actions and in seeking to offer universal access assistance and treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS, we call to address the inequalities, which are holding back the progress in ending AIDS”, says Mr. Andrey Seleznev, Head of the Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic.  

UNODC BECOMES A MEMBER OF THE STATE COMMITTEE ON COMBATING HIV/AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA

On 11 November 2022, a consortium of international organizations nominated Ms. Chinara Maatkerimova, National Program Officer, UNODC Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic as a new member of the Committee on Combating HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria under the Coordinating Council for Public Health under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic. Ms. Maatkerimova was nominated to the post for the next two years and will represent UNODC.

“This membership will allow UNODC to bring its expertise and approaches to the joint efforts of all partners in fighting HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country and region”, informs Ms. Maatkerimova.

The Committee on Combating HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria under the Coordinating Council for Public Health under the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic is a coordination platform that operates on a voluntary basis, created to ensure coordination and interaction of interested state bodies, as well as non-governmental and public organizations in addressing issues related to the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.

SUPPORT IMPRISONED WOMEN, WHO USE DRUG

 During the campaign, UNODC focused its work at supporting activities of the Public Foundation “Istihsan” who works with drug users and drugs addicted imprisoned women in the female prison #2 in Stepnoe village, 30 km from Bishkek city, Kyrgyzstan.  

 With the active support from UNODC PO in the Kyrgyz Republic and financial support from UNAIDS, a pre- and post-release assistance was rendered to women, who use drugs by helping them in getting official documents, building and restoring family ties, referring to medical and harm reduction services, etc.. During the campaigning, foundation outreach workers held short informational sessions on prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases such as hepatitis and tuberculosis. These awareness raising activities are on-going and will be further promoted.

HARM REDUCTION

UNODC in its work related to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment engaged the “Harm Reduction Association”, which consists of 8 strong NGO organizations. Through this network, UNODC promotes HIV community-led monitoring (CLM). It is an accountability mechanism for HIV responses at different levels, led and implemented by local community-led organizations of people living with HIV, networks of key populations, other affected groups or other community entities.

The Association had adopted the UNAIDS tool on Establishment of community-led monitoring of HIV-services to national needs and conducted trainings to the members of their network across Kyrgyzstan.

It is expected that the capacity of local community-based organizations in qualitative monitoring of HIV-services provided by different service-providers will raise and, thus, contribute to their high quality, access, and efficiency in effective response to HIV epidemic in the country and region. It is under the implementation wit hfinancial support from UNAIDS. 

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

The success of any National HIV/AIDS programme is highly dependent on the strength the capacity of the Law Enforcement (LE) officials and officers, who are recognized to have the vital role in protecting and promoting public health, especially the health of diverse and vulnerable communities.

“Enhancing the role of Law Enforcement in HIV prevention and creating effective partnerships between police and other sectors, including civil society organizations, is instrumental to HIV prevention efforts among people who use drugs and people in prisons” outlined Ms. Zhannat Kosmukhamedova, Head, Regional Programme Office for Eastern Europe; Regional EECA Adviser (HIV/Drugs) Global focal point on Law Enforcement and HIV.

Supporting the implementation of the Joint Order on approval of the Interagency action plan to overcome legal barriers to HIV and TB services in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2022-2025, UNODC Programme office in the Kyrgyz Republic conducted trainings for over 58 heads of local divisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and 17 heads of prisons and officials from Prison Service under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic on legal issues related to HIV and tuberculosis services to key populations. This work is performed with the financial support from USAID and UNAIDS. 

Story in Russian language

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For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)

Communication and PR Specialist at

UNODC Criminal Justice &PVE Programmes

in Central Asia

UNODC PO in the Kyrgyz Republic

+996775987817 WhatsApp or

e-mail: vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org