The landlocked country of Tajikistan has for years had one of the worst rates of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) cases anywhere in the world. Now, foreign aid to Tajikistan is helping to alleviate the country’s health burden.

A History of Tuberculosis Struggle in Tajikistan

Poverty is an influential determinant of TB. Poor living and working conditions directly increase the risk of transmission among people. For decades Tajikistan has had one of the worst rates of infection and TB mortality of any Central Asian country. However, a brief look at these rates offers signs of a promising future.

In 2002, the reported rate of TB per 100,000 people was 219. An encouraging downward trend saw the rate drop to 82 in 2019. This decrease in infection rates could be due to new successful treatments of the disease. By the time of recording in 2019, 91% of cases had been treated successfully, according to The Global Fund. Despite making significant progress in the past two decades, Tajikistan remains ranked 23rd out of the drug-resistant tuberculosis countries throughout the world.

The Front Line

Since 2011, Zufliya Dusmatova has worked for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Tajikistan as part of a program that focuses on pediatric TB. She knows all too well how hard the battle against the disease is in this part of the world. “Children have different symptoms of TB than adults…the symptoms in children often resemble other diseases and therefore pediatricians might treat children for viruses or diseases, like a cold or bronchitis,” she explained.

A considerable barrier to accurate diagnosis is the expense of CT scans in the region. Without the aid of life-saving equipment stopping the transference and growth of TB within patients can lead to death. Furthermore, the social stigma associated with the disease presents a further challenge to caregivers as those suffering from TB are less likely to seek treatment should it affect employment opportunities or even marriage prospects, MSF reports.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has since consolidated guidelines on drug-resistant TB treatment, doing much to help and identify those suffering from TB in Tajikistan, according to MSF.

Foreign Aid to Tajikistan

Foreign aid to Tajikistan is vital in the fight back against diseases like TB. As a low-income country largely reliant on labor remittances, any economic shock can be disastrous for health care initiatives in Tajikistan. This is why in 2020 state aid to Tajikistan from the U.S. continued to support the fight. The $51.3 million assistance, not including an additional $6.3 million for COVID-19 assistance, is essential in continuing to safeguard Tajikistan’s national health.

Furthermore, in 2021, USAID donated TB detection equipment to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health. The equipment included smartphones, tablets, video conferencing devices and equipment for climate control.

In addition to U.S. support, the World Bank has agreed to support the new Tajikistan Millati Solim (Health Nation) project with $57.25 million. The project and funding will support improvements in primary health care services throughout the country. As well as to better prepare Tajikistan for any future health care emergencies.

A Brighter Future

The past two decades have seen many successes in Tajikistan’s battle to control TB infection within the country. However, that fight is not over. On March 24, 2023, the UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating TB in Tajikistan by celebrating World TB Day. The day’s theme of “Yes! We can end TB!” both provides hope for Tajikistan’s future and a reminder of how far the nation has come.

– Thomas Field
Photo: Flickr