Kulob: From November 26th to December 1st, 2018 international medical humanitarian organization Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF) and its Pediatric HIV care Project in Kulob organized a campaign in collaboration with Khatlon Region Public Health Department for Kulob Zone to mark “World AIDS Day”. The aim was to raise awareness of population reduce the stigma around HIV as well as encourage testing in line with UNAIDS and Ministry of Health and Social Protection of population message for WAD 2018: “Know your status”.
Having worked in Kulob since 2016, MSF provides testing and diagnosis for HIV, as well as support to patients (children and family members) with treatment for opportunistic infections, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and nutritional and social support programs.
The events organized by MSF and MoH to mark “World AIDS Day” have been held from November 26 to December 1st and covered four Jamoats – Ziraky, Dahana, Kulob and Zarbdor of Kulob Zone. The main activities included presentations with community members regarding HIV transmission and prevention. Additionally, red ribbons and informational leaflets were distributed by MSF and Kulob City HIV Center as well as Kulob City Healthy Lifestyle Center in Kulob Zone from November 27th to 30th.
From the 28th of November to 1st of December 2018, a mini football competition was held among the schoolchildren of secondary schools of Kulob town dedicated to World AIDS Days, organized in the Central Stadium with support of MSF in close collaboration with Department of youth and sport, Kulob City HIV Center, City Healthy Lifestyle Center. MSF and Kulob City HIV Center awarded a trophy and medals to the first, second and third place teams.
MSF also gave presentation and quizzes to the students of Kulob University and Medical College on drug addiction and HIV prevention in collaboration with HIV Center, Healthy Lifestyle Center, City TB Center and Kulob Regional Drug de-addiction Center on November 29th.
On December 1st a Health Caravan was organized by Kulob Regional HIV Center with support of MSF, Kulob City Healthy Lifestyle Center and other local NGOs in the Kulob University Park, where awareness activities including pre-test counselling, free RDTs for adults and children, distribution of brochures and booklets about HIV have been conducted.
MSF HIV Project in Kulob has distributed 2300 brochures on HIV transmission and reduction of stigmatization and PMTCT (Prevention from mother to child transmission) and provision of 200 RDTs during the campaign.
As a part of the HIV care program MSF supports the best practices of infection control in health facilities as a way to prevent disease transmission. In August 2017 and February 2018, MSF inaugurated new waste zones at Zarqala hospital and Regional HIV center in Kulob district featuring the latest technological advancements in medical waste management. MSF supported the construction of the sites and provided trainings to Ministry of Health healthcare workers as well as supplies to these facilities. These activities were profiled at an HIV conference at MSF’s table in the exhibition space of the conference.
MSF and the Tajikistan Ministry of Health and Social Protection have implemented a “Comprehensive pediatric TB care” project in Dushanbe since 2011, with the main objective to improve diagnosis and treatment of drug resistant TB in children and improving access to comprehensive TB care. In June 2016, MSF started the pediatric HIV care project in Kulob.
