Representatives of religion and doctors unite to combat tuberculosis
January 31, 2019 will be the signing of a Memorandum of cooperation in the field of raising awareness of the population of Kyrgyzstan about tuberculosis between the National center of Phthisiology under the Ministry of health of the Kyrgyz Republic (NCP) and the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (SAMK). To the agreement the parties reached in connection with the need for positive action towards reducing the burden of tuberculosis in Kyrgyzstan.
In accordance with the Memorandum and SAMK NCP expressed readiness for joint activities in the following areas:
- regular promotion and dissemination of correct information about TB among the population through the pre-trained religious leaders (the signs of the disease, the importance of timely treatment, detection and early initiation of treatment, the advantages of outpatient treatment);
- outreach to develop a responsible attitude towards their health and health of close people;
- the change in the attitude of community towards TB patients to reduce stigma and discrimination and gender inequality,
- the formation of positive relationships on ambulatory treatment of tuberculosis and the increased willingness (commitment) of patients to treatment;
- participation in social mobilization for TB control, the provision of social care and support to TB patients;
- conducting information and educational activities in the mosques and educational institutions of the SAMK;
- cooperation in the creation of various informational and educational materials for the population concerning tuberculosis, participation in media programs dedicated to the subject of tuberculosis.
It should be noted the goodwill of the SAMK to increase public awareness of tuberculosis and the desire to make a significant contribution to the process of reducing the burden of tuberculosis in Kyrgyzstan. In the case of informing the population NCP and the RAMU cooperate in 2016, which through the USAID "will Win tuberculosis" has trained 327 imams in all regions of the country.
Studies have shown that religious leaders are one of the most respected leaders in the community. Especially important is their influence on informing the male population as men owned a significant portion of cases lost from treatment.
The signing of a Memorandum of cooperation demonstrates the intention of the parties to bring the process of sensitization and social mobilization of the population for tuberculosis at the system level. From the NCP, the Memorandum will be signed by the Director Abdullat Kadyrov, from the side of the RAMU – mufti CR maksatbek aji Toktomushev.
For reference.
"Strengthening cooperation with civil society in the provision of services for tuberculosis control" is recorded as a separate item in the Programme of the Government of the KR "TB-V" in 2017-2021., aimed at achieving the objectives of the world Health Organization (who) - elimination of tuberculosis in the world by 2035. Informing the public is one of the important components of the National TB program. The lack of knowledge about TB among population and high level of stigma towards patients and their families is an obstacle to improving early detection, diagnosis and treatment, and promotes spread of the disease.