TB in Kazakhstan
| TB is a major concern in central Asia, with high mortality rates. The situation is further aggravated by the spread of HIV and poverty. | |
| In Kazakhstan, the number of people officially registered with HIV rose 26.7 per cent from 2006 to 2007 – an increase fuelled by mounting injecting drug use, although also possibly reflecting the increase in people being tested for HIV. Although there has been a decline in TB in recent years, figures still exceed 100 cases per 100,000 of the general population. | | |  | |
| Sholpan Ramazanova, Kazakh Red Crescent programme manager, says: “TB is the biggest killer of people living with HIV. Our programme saves lives by helping people get through long treatments and supporting them in the face of social stigma. The programme is fairly new, but we are already seeing results.”
The Red Crescent is one of just a few organisations in Kazakhstan which specialises in HIV and TB co-infection support and it works closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to ensure services are co-ordinated. Sholpan Baimurzina, AIDS centre director from the MoH, explains: “We provide medication to people living with HIV – many are from the most vulnerable sector of the population, with low-income backgrounds. But to reach these people and ensure treatments are followed, we need the social support that the Red Crescent provides. This is exactly what was missing in our programme, so when the Red Crescent came to us to suggest this partnership, we were very enthusiastic.”
Fighting discrimination | |
| Working closely alongside the AIDS centre, Red Crescent teams made up of a psychologist, social worker and lawyer provide support for people with HIV and TB. Legal help is essential because those who are HIV positive are often discriminated against, and it is sometimes hard to find employment, or even register for citizenship. | | |  | |
| The Red Crescent programme ensures people with HIV and TB receive regular food and hygiene packs. It is difficult to grasp the importance of these basic provisions, but once people with co-infection are able to have food on the table and a basic level of hygiene, then they are able to think about more complex things like taking their medication and finding employment.
Red Crescent psychologist Galina says: “What makes this support so unique is that it is free. I come from a medical background and used to believe that purely medical treatment was the key, but now I know so much more is needed. Human and moral support is almost more important than medical support. Building a personal relationship makes all the difference and helps people learn how to plan their lives again, to understand that they do not need to die.”
These are some stories of people we are helping:
Igor's story: freedom to get back on track
| |
 | | | Looking at Igor, it would be hard to tell he was released from prison only six months ago and has since quit drugs, alcohol and even smoking. Now he's helping others do the same.
Read Igor's story | |
Rosa's story: From TB to Red Crescent advocate
| |
 | | | After contracting HIV and TB, Rosa received support from the Kazakh Red Crescent. Now she works with them to help people going through the same thing.
Read Rosa's story | |
Aliona's story: An attitude for survival
| |
 | | | Aliona contracted HIV from her partner of eight years, who was an injecting drug user. The Kazakh Red Crescent is now supporting Aliona and she recently completed TB treatment.
Read Aliona's story | |
Alexander's story: From prison to Red Crescent volunteer
| |
 | | | After overcoming TB, Alexander is now a Kazakh Red Crescent volunteer and member of a peer-to-peer support team for sufferers of HIV and TB.
Read Alexander's story | |
|
.jpg "RSS Logo. Text reads: Keep up to date with our work using our RSS feeds.")
