KULOB, October 13, 2008, Asia-Plus — Implementation of the Improvement of Access of Vulnerable Groups of the Population to HIV/AIDS Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support Service Project has been launched in Kulob.
According to Kulob AIDS Center # 2, the project is implemented by the Netherlands’ non-governmental humanitarian organization, ADIS Foundation East-West (AFEW) under financial support of the Central Asia AIDS Control Project (CAAP).
A decision on launching the project was made at a meeting of representatives of president’s executive office, national coordinating center for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria, ministries of health, interior and justice as well as public associations and international organizations active in Tajikistan that was held in Dushanbe on October 11, the source at Kulob AIDS Center # 2 said.
“The importance of this project can scarcely be overestimated because Kulob accounts for 13 percent of a total number of HIV sufferers officially registered in Tajikistan,” the source said, noting that a special social office will be set up to provide psychosocial, consultative and preventing services people living with HIV, injecting drug users, commercial sex workers and prisoners.
The resource center that is also established as part of the project will provide methodological and training support to the social office.
Since 2005, ten social offices have been set up in the country and they have already provided their effectiveness, the source noted.
