Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — A meeting was held at the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan with a delegation from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

The delegation, led by Mark Edgington, head of the Global Fund’s Grant Management Department, was received by Acting First Deputy Minister of Health Davron Sultanov.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss current and future grant programs from the Global Fund aimed at improving the healthcare system in Uzbekistan. The Global Fund is the world’s largest organization financing programs for the prevention, treatment, and care of patients with AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Its activities in Uzbekistan began in 2006, and measures have been established for the effective use of allocated grant funds.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the successes achieved in combating tuberculosis and HIV under the grant "Strengthening Efforts to Achieve the 90-90-90 and Stop TB Goals in Uzbekistan with a Focus on Vulnerable Populations," implemented from 2021 to 2024.

Significant modernization of the tuberculosis control system has been carried out: DOTS cabinets were established in all primary healthcare facilities, and modern methods for diagnosing and treating both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant forms of tuberculosis were implemented according to WHO recommendations. Modern laboratory equipment and reagents for tuberculosis diagnostics, as well as mobile and stationary X-ray machines with artificial intelligence, were procured.

Biological safety measures have been ensured in tuberculosis laboratories, a unified electronic database has been implemented, and all relevant institutions have been equipped with computer technology. Qualified specialists have been trained, and a video monitoring system for tracking the treatment of tuberculosis patients has been introduced.

More than 52,000 representatives from high-risk groups for HIV infection underwent preventive measures, and individuals living with HIV were provided with antiretroviral therapy. Modern high-tech equipment has been installed in 15 regional AIDS centers.

Uzbekistan is actively promoting new prevention and treatment methods for HIV and tuberculosis among socially vulnerable groups using modern medications and effective treatment strategies.

The meeting also addressed funding for the next phase of the project, which will cover the period from 2025 to 2027.