AIDS Foundation East-West Launches unique HIV/AIDS prevention project in Central Asian Republics

The Dutch non-governmental humanitarian public health organisation AIDS Foundation East-West (AFEW) is preparing to launch a three-year comprehensive project (2005-2007), encompassing four Central Asian Republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Supported by Theme-Based Co-Financing (TMF) of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the project ‘Creating a Comprehensive Regional System for the Prevention of HIV Among Vulnerable Social Groups’ aims to strengthen existing healthcare systems in project countries by increasing access to comprehensive, quality healthcare services for groups vulnerable to HIV.

As noted in the 2004 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic¹: ‘diverse HIV epidemics are under way in Eastern Europe and Central Asia’, where there has been a marked growth in new cases of HIV-infection. In the Central Asian Republics the total number of HIV-infections already exceeds 5500 people².

At present, the majority of cases in Central Asia are transmitted through injecting drug use, yet transmission through sexual contact has also undergone a notable increase. Despite the increasing numbers of cases, HIV epidemics in Central Asia are still at a relatively early stage of development — meaning that a window of opportunity is upon us to make a difference and stem any further growth.

The project ‘Creating a Comprehensive Regional System for the Prevention of HIV among Vulnerable Social Groups’ recognises that HIV/AIDS prevention is multi-disciplinary and requires the committed efforts of all sectors of society. In a closely coordinated partnership with national ministries, local healthcare professionals, non-governmental organisations, affected community members and other organisations conducting similar activities in the region, AFEW’s project aims to respond to the health-related needs of vulnerable social groups including: injecting drug users, prison populations, and sex workers.

One region is to be selected in each of the four countries, in which an integrated network of health and social services will be developed to prevent HIV-transmission among vulnerable social groups.

The following results are envisaged:

• Conditions conducive to effective cooperation in forming a joint strategy to fight the spread of the HIV epidemic will be created in each region.

• In each of the pilot regions, an effective model will be developed for preventing HIV among vulnerable social groups, based on the experience of participating state institutions and non-governmental organisations. Favourable conditions will be created in which to promote this model at a national level in each of the participating countries.

• Increased awareness and knowledge about HIV/AIDS among target groups will promote positive behavioural changes, reduce vulnerability to infection and enhance the use of psychosocial support services.

• A regional network of NGOs and governmental institutions will be established, providing HIV/AIDS prevention, harm reduction and psychosocial support services to vulnerable groups.

• HIV/AIDS prevention and health promotion curricula for penitentiaries will be institutionalised by the Ministry of Justice’s education system in the four participating countries.

The project has received support from the Development Cooperation Division of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cooperation with different international organisations is envisaged, including: the GFTAM, World Bank, UNAIDS, UNODC, USAID and the UK Department for International Development (DFID). The project has received the support of the Drug Control Agency and the Ministries of Health, Internal Affairs and Justice in each country.

Contact Person:
Nicolas Cantau
Regional Director, Central Asia Republics.
Phone: +7 3272 735746
E-mail: Nicolas_Cantau@afew.org