The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan proposes a draft of a new program to combat tuberculosis. It was initiated by the Ministry of Health.
The country’s epidemiological situation in terms of tuberculosis remains alarming, it said. Kyrgyzstan is among the 30 countries with a high tuberculosis burden and among the 18 countries with high tuberculosis incidence in the European region.
Previous anti-tuberculosis programs have made progress in reducing morbidity and mortality rates.
In 2018, Kyrgyzstan, along with other states and UN member states, assumed obligations to eliminate the epidemic of the disease by 2030 — to reduce mortality by 95 percent and reduce the number of new cases by 90 percent.
However, the medical, social and economic consequences of the coronavirus pandemic have reduced access to basic tuberculosis services.
In 2020, tuberculosis detection in Kyrgyzstan decreased by 32 percent compared to 2019. Medical workers believe this factor could dramatically worsen the country’s epidemiological situation in the next few years. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the risk of becoming infected and developing tuberculosis disease. The consequences could be even more severe, experts predict.
The new program defines the goal, objectives, and priorities of state policy aimed at stabilizing the tuberculosis situation. It will be based on the principles of universal health care coverage, provision of free anti-tuberculosis care, and social support for patients during treatment.
The list of preferential diagnostic services for patients with suspected tuberculosis and contact patients will be expanded. It is planned to increase the volume of drugs to reduce adverse effects when receiving tuberculosis treatment and providing palliative care.
