HIV and TB Overview: Kyrgyzstan

Background

The partnership between CDC and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic began in 1995. Together they strengthened the capacity to detect, prevent, and control disease and responded to public health threats in Central Asia.

In 2011, CDC started implementing activities supported by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). CDC supports the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Republican Center for Bloodborne Viral Hepatitis and HIV Control (RCBVHHC) and the Republican Center for Psychiatry and Narcology (RNPC). Together, they help the Kyrgyz Republic achieve epidemic control by implementing interventions and activities that are focused on key populations. CDC supports the MOH in the following areas of HIV prevention:

• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) of opioid addiction.
• HIV counseling and testing; laboratory strengthening.
• HIV care and treatment.
• Strategic information systems.
• Improving public health functions to address other health priorities.

HIV and TB data

HIV/AIDS

Tuberculosis (TB)

Key activities and accomplishments

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

CDC supports the expansion of PrEP to those at increased risk for HIV.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) assistance

CDC provides technical assistance for ART services at 22 RAC supported sites. These sites provide care and treatment services to over 4,150 people living with HIV (PLHIV). In these sites, CDC’s support is focused on improving the quality and coverage of ART and promoting treatment uptake and adherence.

Enhancing treatment and care

CDC works with the RCBVHHC to provide high-quality treatment and care services to those infected with HIV. In 2021, CDC supported the RCBVHHC to develop and revise clinical protocols and testing algorithms. These revisions helped implement WHO’s “test and start” strategy and achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals:

• 95 percent of all PLHIV will know their HIV status
• 95 percent of all PLHIV will receive sustained ART
• 95 percent of all people receiving ART will have viral suppression

Understanding HIV trends

CDC has supported the RCBVHHC in developing and executing a Bio-Behavioral Survey for key populations. It aims to understand trends in the HIV epidemic in key populations and the interrelated behavioral dynamics.

ART retention and viral load suppression

CDC works with the RCPN to provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services to people who inject drugs. CDC works in all MAT clinics in the country where PLHIV receive priority prevention and care services through a “one window” approach. Retention to ART improved to 98 percent in 2022, a 30 percent improvement since 2016. Viral load suppression has improved from 44 to 95 percent.

Meeting laboratory standards

CDC developed an electronic HIV Case Management System that all HIV/AIDS centers use for reliable, real-time data on HIV epidemics. CDC supports the MOH in meeting minimum standards for International Health Regulations core capabilities. These standards are benchmarked against the Kyrgyzstan National Action Plan for Health Security.

CDC provides TA to HIV/AIDS laboratories in Kyrgyzstan to develop and implement laboratory quality management systems. This is in preparation for accreditation of international laboratory standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 15189 for medical laboratories.

Improving surveillance and reporting

CDC enhanced disease surveillance and reporting through the Digital Case Notification Register, improving detection and response to infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The Pan Respiratory Disease Surveillance Program, in collaboration with the Department of Disease Prevention (DDP) further strengthens disease monitoring and control.

CDC has supported the establishment of Public Health Emergency Operations Centers. CDC also provided capacity building training to DDP's operations center staff to increase their efficiency and effectiveness in responding to emergencies. CDC works to improve the processes and timeliness associated with identification, notification, and responding to public health threats and disease outbreaks.

CDC supported the excess 2020 mortality study in Kyrgyzstan, which helped to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on mortality. The mortality study led to the initiation of support to the E-Health Center to enhance the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System.

Field Epidemiology Training Program

CDC provides ongoing support in the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP). CDC aims to strengthen national public health systems by introducing a new educational opportunity, Informatics and Data Science for Health (I-DASH).

The collaboration with the DDP focuses on institutionalizing the frontline FETPs and enhancing the capacity of health professionals and institutions.

Resources

Our success is built on the backbone of science and strong partnerships.