Goal of the event is to update TB specialists of The Central Asia region on WHO recommended standards of MDR TB case management and aspects of its ambulatory treatment as well as to discuss the MDRTB best practices in the region.

The National Tuberculosis Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan, KNCV Representative Office in Central Asia and humanitarian organization “Partners in Health”/ Harvard School of Public Health are organizers of the event which is funded by USAID and Fund of Elly Lilly.

Multidrugresistant tuberculosis is the most dangerous form of tuberculosis when tuberculosis strains become resistant (not sensitive), at least, to two powerful TB drugs- Isoniazid and Rifampicin. MDR TB happens as a result of inadequate treatment of tuberculosis, mainly, due to interruptions of intakes of TB drugs by any reasons.

In accordance to the Forth Global Surveillance Report The Central Asia and Eastern Europe are the regions with high level of resistance. MDR TB incidence rate among new cases stay at 3,8% - in Turkmenistan, 14,2% - in Kazakhstan, 14,7% - in Kyrgyzstan,14,8% - in Uzbekistan and 16% - in Tajikistan.

Tuberculosis problem in the Central Asia is a priority among USAID programs and Fund Elly Lilly’ projects. For the last years USAID and Fund Elly Lilly support National TB Programs (NTP) with focus at improvement of knowledge and skills of health personnel, strengthening laboratory services, TB drugs management and increasing public awareness.

However, despite progress achieved by joint efforts of National and international organizations there are challenges which should be immediately addressed in the region. One of them is upward trend in MDR TB rate.

Representatives of NTP and penitentiary services of the Central Asia countries as well as international and non-governmental organizations will participate in the event.