DUSHANBE, March 31, Asia-Plus —
The TB Information/Education/Communication (IEC) campaign under the motto “I can stop TB!” was held on March 28 in the Jomi Concert Hall in Dushanbe by the National TB Center and USAID’s Project HOPE under the financial support from the Global Fund, press release issued by the US Embassy in Dushanbe said.
The campaign was devoted to attracting the community’s attention to this potentially deadly disease, as well as to educate the public on tuberculosis prevention. The program included a theater performance by professional actors from Lohuti State Theater, and performances by Tajik modern bands Avesto and Rep groups. The campaign also included a quiz on TB with prizes for participants. More than 650 students from local universities participated in the campaign and contributed to improving youth awareness of TB and its prevention.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Saidaliev, the Director of the National TB Center, stated that, “the focus of the fight against TB now must be on the young population of Tajikistan. Young Tajiks working in Russia or other countries unfortunately sometimes return home with positive TB results, and the rate of this infection is increasing.”
U.S. Embassy Tajikistan Deputy Chief of Mission Tom Hushek opened the campaign, commenting that, “despite recent progress, TB remains a massive global public health problem, with nearly 9 million new cases and more than 1.5 million deaths each year. The United States is very pleased to continue to support partners working on TB control in Tajikistan to decrease the burden of TB, and to allow the citizens of this country the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
The TB Control Program implemented by Project Hope is one of the many assistance projects implemented in Tajikistan by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on behalf of the American people. Since 1993 the American people through USAID have provided about $300 million in assistance programs that support economic growth, democratic institutions, health care, and education systems of Tajikistan.
