Today, the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the non-governmental organization, Republican Informational Educational Center (RIEC) “INTILISH,” announced the launch of a new $1 million USAID-funded End Tuberculosis (TB) Uzbekistan activity. Through the new activity, USAID will support INTILISH’s efforts to combat TB, especially hard to treat drug-resistant (DR) TB.

“End TB Uzbekistan” is a three-year activity that will benefit hundreds of children and their parents, along with other patients from vulnerable groups. INTILISH will provide children receiving TB treatment in two Tashkent TB hospitals and their parents with psychological support and social assistance, individual and group consultations on TB issues, and make referrals to TB screening, diagnosis, and social support services.

Through the new activity, INTILISH will partner with the Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Phthisiopulmonology, HIV/AIDS support centers, makhalla committees, and professional adaptation centers of khokimiyats, to ensure access to comprehensive TB detection and treatment for vulnerable groups - ex-prisoners, labor migrants, and intravenous drug users.

Over the last decade, Uzbekistan has made significant progress in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up monitoring of TB and multi drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients.The Government of Uzbekistan has adopted comprehensive health reforms, including the National Strategy Concept of Healthcare Improvement for 2019-2025 that specifically outlines TB incidence reduction goals. Uzbekistan is committed to eliminating TB by 2050 and USAID is proud to partner with Uzbekistan to help it achieve this ambitious goal.