Good morning!

Over the past decade, TB morbidity and mortality indicators in the region have significantly improved, with fewer cases and even fewer deaths attributed to TB. According to the 2012 WHO Global TB Report, estimated cases of TB (incidence) in Kyrgyz Republic fell from 249 (per 100,000) to 128 between 2000 and 2011; similarly, the estimated mortality rate (per 100,000) fell from 24 to 12 from 2000 to 2011. However, rates of MDR-TB are increasing in Central Asian region as a whole, as well as in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Much more needs to be done to improve case detection and increase successful treatment of cases in order to reach global TB control targets.

Government commitment for TB prevention and control is strong as TB continues to be recognized as a public health priority. Policies and guidelines that support and promote international standards are at least partially in place or being developed.

Since 1992, the United States Government, through USAID, on behalf of the American people, has partnered with Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to transition to a peaceful and democratic society, able to provide her citizens with services and opportunities to live healthy and productive lives.

In the Kyrgyz Republic, through the work of USAID the US government  has been providing support to the Ministry of Health and NGO partners with the goal of strengthening bridges between TB and HIV and the primary health care systems in providing access to all patients to quality TB services, promoting outpatient TB care and community support.

I am glad to be here today to launch new 5-year Kyrgyzstan TB project  -partnership between USAID and the Kyrgyz Republic.  Through this project,  USAID will continue to support the National TB Program to move forward with key improvements in TB case finding and treatment.  This new project builds upon the joint work that USAID and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Health have carried out to lessen the burden of tuberculosis in the country, through the Dialogue, TB Care 1, and Quality Health Care projects.

I am thankful for this partnership that we have today, and am honored to be here with the Minister of Health.

Thank you.