The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) opened a center for temporary housing (shelter) for patients with drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis on ambulatory treatment and in difficult life situations. The center, located in Bishkek and managed by the NGO “TB People”, has been working since March 2021.  It provides accommodation, basic life services (food, shower, laundry) and medical, social and psychological support to patients in need in order to help them complete their treatment.

This center is currently the only of its kind for patients with tuberculosis in the Kyrgyz Republic and was opened to help control the TB epidemic in Kyrgyzstan and increase favorable treatment outcomes. The Kyrgyz Republic is one of 30 countries with a high burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis, the treatment of which can take up to two years. Tuberculosis is both preventable and curable, with timely diagnosis and completed quality treatments. This center is part of the new country grant from the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for 2021-2023, implemented by the UNDP.

“There are people who want to get treated, but have nowhere to live, and, as a result, cannot register at a hospital to receive medication. This center is a great chance for people with tuberculosis,” explains Dilshat Haitov, director of “TB People”.  Since its inauguration, one month ago, the center has already welcomed ten clients: “Among them, there are people who were released from jail; we help them get in touch with their relatives and find a place to live, all the while continuing treatment. We also had some clients who finished their treatment here, and they had the time to adapt to society, find a job, recover documents.”

The center ensures that its clients are able to get back on their two feet and find decent living conditions for the future to protect their health. Clients of the center also benefit from the support of doctors, treatment supports, peer consultants, psychologists and lawyers, who work together to help each client complete treatment and limit the spread of tuberculosis in the country. 

In addition, the center also includes a room for the accommodation of children and their parents who come to the capital for Computer Tomography (CT), funded by the UNDP / Global Fund project for the early detection of tuberculosis in children.

The UNDP “Effective HIV and TB Control in the Kyrgyz Republic” project also continues to support two shelters for people living with HIV in Bishkek and Osh, as well as centers for key population groups at higher risk of HIV infection.

Press contacts:

Ainagul Abdrakhmanova

ainagul.abdrakhmanova@undp.org

+996 770 183 493