Kyrgyzstan has made steady progress in recent years in expanding access to tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment, improving patient outcomes, and strengthening public trust in the healthcare system. In 2025, UNDP continued to support these efforts, helping build a more inclusive, resilient, and people-centred health system aligned with national priorities, Sustainable Development Goal 3, and the country’s “Healthy Person – Prosperous Country” programme.
Working closely with the Ministry of Health, the national tuberculosis programme, and civil society organizations, UNDP focused on addressing key systemic challenges such as healthcare workforce shortages and limited access to services for vulnerable populations. At the same time, it worked to ensure the continuity of essential health services, particularly for those most at risk of being left behind.
A major challenge remains the shortage of healthcare workers, especially in primary healthcare. To help bridge this gap, UNDP supported community-based organizations in delivering tuberculosis prevention services, conducting active case finding, and providing patient-centred treatment support. In 2025, these efforts led to the screening of more than 16,000 people from high-risk groups and TB contacts, the identification of 4,500 presumptive TB cases, the confirmation of 95 active TB cases, and the diagnosis of 188 other lung diseases. These outcomes demonstrate the importance of community-based services in reaching vulnerable populations that may not be effectively served by traditional healthcare systems.
Support for treatment adherence also played a crucial role in improving outcomes. More than 1,900 tuberculosis patients received ongoing follow-up and assistance, including monthly incentives that helped reduce treatment interruptions. This approach not only improved individual recovery but also helped lower transmission risks and reduce pressure on already stretched primary healthcare services.
Ensuring uninterrupted access to essential medicines and diagnostics has remained a central part of Kyrgyzstan’s progress. For more than 14 years, UNDP has supported the country in maintaining access to WHO-prequalified second-line tuberculosis medicines, antiretroviral therapy, and diagnostic reagents. In 2025, this support remained critical to national health security, with strong forecasting, procurement, and inventory management systems helping prevent stockouts and maintain high standards of quality and safety across the supply chain.
At the healthcare facility level, notable improvements were also made in infection prevention and control. The introduction of FFP3 respirators, which had previously been unavailable in Kyrgyzstan, strengthened protection for healthcare workers. In addition, ultraviolet air disinfection lamps and upgraded equipment helped create safer clinical environments and reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections. A senior infection control nurse at Kara-Balta Tuberculosis Hospital noted that UNDP’s support was particularly valuable during 2024–2025, when joint efforts helped address the shortage of respirators despite the absence of registered products in the country.
These achievements were made possible through continued financial support from the Global Fund, which played an important role in maintaining vital services and strengthening Kyrgyzstan’s national systems for tackling both HIV and tuberculosis.
UNDP also contributed to the modernization of laboratory systems, the introduction of AI-based solutions, and the assessment of health-sector IT infrastructure. These efforts are helping lay the groundwork for a more integrated and data-driven health system that can deliver faster diagnosis, better case management, stronger surveillance, and more evidence-based decision-making across the tuberculosis care continuum. This digital transformation is being advanced through the UN Joint Programme “Bridging the Digital Health Divide,” launched in 2024 and implemented by several UN agencies with support from the Joint SDG Fund, the European Union, and multiple Member State governments.
Kyrgyzstan’s progress closely reflects the global message of World TB Day 2026 — “Yes! We can end TB!” The country’s experience shows that with strong government leadership, sustained investment, rapid adoption of innovation, and effective collaboration across sectors, significant progress against tuberculosis is possible even in a challenging global environment.
Looking ahead, UNDP plans to continue supporting Kyrgyzstan’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health threat. By strengthening health systems, empowering communities, and keeping people at the centre of care, the country is moving closer to a future where TB is no longer a major burden.
