DUSHANBE, November 22, Asia-Plus -- The Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) has approved grants to combat spread of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis in Tajikistan, according to the Ministry of Health (MoH).  

A source at MoH said that a TB grant of US$15.8 million is provided to expand DOTS program across the republic.  According to Sadullo Saidaliyev, the head of the Republican TB-Prevention Center, 4,420 new cases of tuberculosis have been registered in Tajikistan this year.  “2800-3,500 new cases of tuberculosis are annually registered in the republic,” Saidaliyev said.  

Another grant of US$12 million is provided to prevent spread of HIV-AIDS in Tajikistan.  The grant will be spent to extend preventive measures, support the government activities in fighting this disease, as well as tighten control of those most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.  According to the MoH, more than 600 HIV-infected people have to date been registered in Tajikistan.