UNDP strengthens TB eradication efforts despite COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 has significantly hampered the implementation of the tuberculosis control program in Kyrgyzstan, which is among the 30 countries with a high burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis (LU-TB). The number of reported cases of tuberculosis in 2020 decreased by 30% (3,814 from January to September 2020, compared with 5,361 in the same period in 2019), which, according to scientific forecasts, will lead to additional deaths.

“Our UNDP HIV and TUBERCULOSIS team has gone beyond the call of duty to support tuberculosis and HIV programs, supporting the timely delivery of vital medicines and medical equipment despite global shortages, inventory shortages, border closures and many exceptionally difficult logistical challenges,” said Louise Chamberlain, UNDP Resident Representative in Kyrgyzstan, in its statement on the occasion of World Tuberculosis Day.

Together with partners, UNDP has turned to alternative methods of service delivery in order to continue to provide quality and uninterrupted services to its clients, and also supports medical professionals involved in the fight against tuberculosis and COVID-19.

Thanks to the efforts, this year there were not only failures: the proportion of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis who were tested for sensitivity to second-line drugs increased to 77% in 2020 (against 66% in 2019 and 52% in 2018), which allows doctors to prescribe the most effective treatment to their patients, which it will give them the maximum chance of recovery. The sputum sample transportation services funded by the UNDP/GF project were interrupted for only one week during the state of emergency, just for the time needed to obtain the necessary permits. The constant efforts of the project team have helped to guarantee the timely delivery of anti-tuberculosis drugs, despite the global shortage, obstacles to procurement and closed borders.