Bishkek - USAID partners with the Kyrgyz Republic to overcome the challenges of diagnosing and managing childhood and adolescent tuberculosis (TB).  While many advances have been made in a fight against adult TB, children and adolescents remain very vulnerable to TB and significant challenges remain.

In response to these challenges, the USAID Defeat TB Project, in partnership with the National TB Center, developed and organized a training program for healthcare providers working with children and youth.  In June-July, over 100 doctors from all regions of the Kyrgyz Republic attended this new training program. Participants learned about the latest best practices and clinical guidelines in childhood and adolescent TB diagnosis and treatment, as well as the prescription and use of child-friendly drug formulations.  Practicing physicians provided valuable feedback and engaged in the discussion on how to implement new treatment and prevention guidelines for childhood and adolescent TB.

Traditionally, children and adolescents must spend many months in the hospital to seek treatment for TB, drastically disrupting their lives and the lives of their families.  “Considering that children discharge almost zero bacteria, outpatient treatment can be used. ... This will increase adherence to treatment among children, decrease stigma and discrimination and, most importantly, prevent development of superinfection among children,” said Ms. Asankadyrova, an expert from the program.

The training is part of the joint efforts of the Kyrgyz Republic and the United States to fight childhood and adolescent TB through improved services, diagnostics, new clinical guidelines, and new out-patient TB treatment and care models.

USAID partners with the people and government of the Kyrgyz Republic to accelerate the progress against this deadly infectious disease, and to give children and adolescents a chance to lead fulfilling lives. The USAID Defeat TB Project is one of many public health initiatives funded by the United States to fight deadly infectious diseases and strengthen the health care system in the Kyrgyz Republic.