U.S marks ten years of partnership with Kyrgyz Republic to end HIV/AIDs epidemic

Bishkek, Dec. 1, 2020. /Kabar/. The United States joins the Kyrgyz Republic in observing World AIDS Day to show support for people living with and affected by HIV, and to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS, the press service of the U.S. Embassy in Kyrgyzstan said Tuesday. The U.S. government’s theme for World AIDS Day 2020 is “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.” This theme reflects the U.S. government’s strong commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic globally as well as to strengthening the capacity and resilience of communities and health systems to address other health challenges. This year marks the tenth year of U.S. government engagement with Kyrgyz Republic to respond to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. During this time the U.S President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has invested in Kyrgyz Republic with a goal to control and ultimately end the HIV epidemic. These resources have both strengthened health care service delivery and increased the capabilities of local community-based organizations to provide HIV prevention, care and treatment. Ultimately this partnership is saving lives by preventing HIV infections and providing care to those living with HIV/AIDs. USAID’s PEPFAR programming includes investments in community-level service delivery -- including piloting innovative approaches such as community-based distribution of HIV/AIDS medications and the use of self-test kits so individuals can safely and confidentially determine their own HIV status -- as well as work focused on increasing the service delivery role of local NGOs, who have deep roots and trust among stigmatized communities, and finally efforts aiming to strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain in order to better distribute life-saving medicines. “Every health professional that PEPFAR trains, every laboratory that we strengthen, and every local organization with which we partner is capable not only of confronting HIV but also other current and future health challenges,” - says Patrick Nadol, HIV/AIDS Central Asia Program Director at the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC has been providing technical assistance and implementation support to the AIDS and narcology centers and their laboratories, Family Medicine Centers to improve quality of HIV care and treatment services, including laboratory services, medication-assisted therapy for people who inject drugs, and HIV surveillance. On this World AIDS Day, the U.S. Embassy renews its commitment to working with Kyrgyz Republic toward achieving these ambitious goals and reaching epidemic control.