For the first time, the Government of Tajikistan has financed the procurement of antiretroviral therapy (ART) drugs and HIV early diagnosis tests for newborns, under the project “Support to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan in Procuring Quality Medical Products,” implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The Government-financed procurement is sufficient to meet the needs of around 1,000 patients on the WHO-recommended TLD regimen for one year and provides essential tests for early HIV diagnosis among infants. An agreement signed on November 21, 2024, between the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population (MoHSPP) and UNDP facilitated the handover of medical products to the Republican AIDS Centre for nationwide distribution.
“Since 2006, the Global Fund, with support from UNDP, has been the main supplier of HIV medicines in Tajikistan,” said Alijon Soliev, Deputy Director of the AIDS Centre. “This year, with the initiative of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Government of Tajikistan, additional funds from the state budget were allocated for this vital procurement. Looking ahead, we will continue working together to ensure sustainable financing by combining national resources with donor support.”
The agreement totals USD 53,949.03. In addition, UNDP contributed an extra USD 35,000 this year to supply urgently needed medical equipment to support the healthcare system.
Since 2006, the procurement of ART medicines has been managed by UNDP through grants from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. With continued donor support, UNDP implements the project “Ending HIV and Tuberculosis Epidemics Through Evidence-Based Interventions and Innovative Approaches with a Focus on Key and Vulnerable Populations,” supplying essential medicines, diagnostics, and preventive measures aimed at reducing HIV in the country. The first batch of drugs and tests has already been delivered to the Republican AIDS Centre, with full delivery expected by the end of the year.
