Local authorities, Migration Service, Republican and local centres for the protection of population against TB joined the public events and roundtables for the International Migrants Day organized by IOM Tajikistan and cooperating NGO partners. The events were launched on 17 December and concluded on 19 December in Qurghon Teppa and Kulob southern cities of Tajikistan.

The situation of TB among migrants; implementation of the “Safety Route” model developed within the USAID Dialogue on HIV and TB Project; constraints and actions taken; and the role of local authorities, migration service and the public at large in reducing TB among migrants were the main topics of discussion during the meetings and roundtables. The workshops’ participants had an opportunity to communicate with the representative of Population Services International (PSI), Zamzagul Zhumagulova, from Kazakhstan through video conferencing. She emphasized the successful referral of migrants with TB in outpatient treatment from Tajikistan to Kazakhstan during project implementation.

“Referral of a migrant with TB helped to avoid treatment interruption and ensure control of TB adherence treatment,” said the representative of PSI. “Working together with Tajik authorities, the PSI’s partners have provided the migrant with TB drugs and included him into a social support programme.”

Family members of migrants affected by TB and who successfully completed treatment were also given a chance to speak their mind and talk about challenges faced throughout the treatment process. It was mentioned that skillfully delivered psychosocial support is often the most helpful and important for people affected by TB and that the disease is fully curable if the treatment is taken on a regular and continuous basis.

Other events included informational campaigns that took place at A. Muhamadjonov’s Theatre, located in Qurghon Teppa and at the Kulob International Airport reaching more than 1,000 migrants and members of their families. Participants raised their awareness about migration legislation of the Russian Federation and HIV and TB prevention through distributed brochures and cards with hotline numbers specifically designed to provide information on health and legal aspects of migration.  Also, video materials accompanying the public events held in Kulob offered useful information on TB prevention and treatment to migrant workers and members of their families.

USAID is the leading American government agency building social and economic prosperity with the people of Central Asia.