DUSHANBE , July 5, Asia-Plus - A draft of the new cycle of the National Strategic Plan on HIV/ADIS designed for 2006-2010 was discussed at a Partnership Forum on HIV/AIDS in Dushanbe on July 5. 

The National Coordination Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has worked out the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS in cooperation with the Ministry of Health.  Amonullo Ghoibov, Secretary of the National Coordination Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, has said in his interview with Asia -Plus that this strategic plan radically differs from the previous one.     

“This draft strategic plan focuses on extending actions on prophylactics, treatment and caring of the HIV-sufferers,” said Mr. Ghoibov, “This plan also determines tasks of each sector, branch because the issue of preventing spread of HIV/AIDS is the problem of not only medicine; it is, first of all, the social problem.”

Among the main events provided by the plan Amonullo Ghoibov named prophylactic activities.  The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has provided to Tajikistan US$150 million in medicines for treatment of HIV-infected.  According to him, Tajikistan has medicines for treating 60 people, more than 20 people have to date been targeted by treatment.

Deputy Health Minister, Ziyoviddin Afghonov, inaugurating the forum noted that 544 HIV-infected people had been registered in Tajikistan . 

Health Minister Nusratullo Fayzulloyev, for his part, telling the forum noted that Tajikistan ’s authorities attached significant importance to seeking solution to the problem of spread of HIV/AIDS in the country.  He noted that Tajikistan was signatory to a series of international documents on control over HIV/AIDS.  “The Government does its best but we, taking into consideration our economic situation and limited resources, have needs in international support,” the minister said.  Mr. Fayzulloyev noted that due to international support Tajikistan today had a 100-percent opportunity to test all those interested in the country for AIDS.          

The Partnership Forum consists of the following members: representatives from key ministries and committees: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, Ministry of Justice, State Television and Radio Committee, State Youth Committee and Drug Control Agency; civil society organizations, People Living with HIV/AIDS, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and bilateral and multilateral donors.