CAPACITY in Central Asia

The five countries of Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, are currently facing rapidly increasing, concentrated HIV epidemics. Officially registered number of HIV infections range in the countries from about 500 in Tajikistan to nearly 8,000 in Uzbekistan. However, these figures are thought to be only a fraction of the true numbers of HIV infections. Approximately 70% of HIV infections are transmitted through unsafe injection practices by injection drug users. Unsafe commercial sexual behavior accounts for most of the remaining HIV transmission.

Central Asian countries each have a network of national and provincial level AIDS centers responsible for HIV diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The function of these centers varies from country to country and within countries, but they provide basic structures, from which the countries shape their response to the HIV epidemics. Several of the countries also have inter-sectoral AIDS committees, which coordinate the various efforts of international and national stakeholders in the countries. Nevertheless, with multiple and large donors, multiple ministries, and competing NGO networks, the response in each country remains fragmented.

In this context, the USAID-funded, CAPACITY Project is providing technical assistance in five countries of Central Asia to (1) strengthen national leadership and coordination of efforts against HIV epidemics; (2) reduce transmission of HIV among vulnerable populations and delay the spread of HIV to the general population; (3) improve the quality of AIDS care and treatment services, especially in the areas of dual TB and HIV infection management, voluntary counseling and testing, and antiretroviral therapy; and (4) integrate HIV services with the broader national health care systems.

Bulletin

November, 2008
(473 KB)

Partners

www.rcaids.kz
Republican AIDS Center, Kazakhstan

www.ncc.tj
National Coordination Committee, Tajikistan

www.afew.org
AIDS Foundation East-West

www.caap.info
Central Asia AIDS Control Project

www.cdc.gov
Center for Disease Control and Prevention

www.ddrprogram.org
Drug Demand Reduction Project

www.theglobalfund.org
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberkulosis and Malaria

www.projecthope.org
Project HOPE/TB

www.soros.org
Soros Foundation

www.undp.org
UNDP

www.unicef.org
United Nations Children's Fund

www.unodc.org
United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime

www.usaid.gov
USAID

www.euro.who.int
World Health Organization

www.zplus.kz
ZdravPlus Project

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