Tajikistan

Key Results in 2022-2023

Tajikistan passed the Law on Equality and the Prevention of Discrimination to eliminate all forms of discrimination, including against people living with HIV.
More than 95% of people living with HIV transitioned to Dolutegravir-based regimen through the latest antiretroviral treatment optimization plan.
Close to 750 healthcare providers improved their capacity to deliver clinical and support services to pregnant women, adolescents and young people living with HIV and their families.

Joint Programme Results

In Tajikistan, the national HIV response was strengthened through the adoption of an updated national HIV testing algorithm and laboratory standard operating procedures; manual for post-exposure prophylaxis; and patient monitoring guidelines for HIV treatment and care (WHO). Moreover, testing and laboratory services for primary healthcare clients, including pregnant women further improved through the reconstruction of the national HIV laboratory; revision and strengthening of supply chains and logistics; and capacity building of 110 healthcare providers from HIV service centres and reproductive health facilities (UNFPA, WHO). In remote areas, 3500 people were sensitized and tested for HIV through an HIV testing campaign (UNFPA). In addition, more than 95% of people living with HIV under treatment switched to a Dolutegravir-based regimen due to the implementation of an antiretroviral treatment optimization plan (UNDP, WHO).

The Joint Programme provided technical support in scaling up HIV prevention and harm reduction programmes for vulnerable and key populations. For instance, 932 people from key populations accessed pre-exposure prophylaxis in 2023 compared to only 72 in 2021 (UNODC).

The Government scaled up integrated primary healthcare and HIV services in several regions, reaching over 1500 adults and children living with HIV, following robust advocacy and technical support by the Joint Programme. Besides, 60 primary healthcare and hospital managers improved their capacity to deliver HIV services, including HIV testing among pregnant women; and 450 primary healthcare doctors were oriented on delivery of stigma-free services for pregnant women living with HIV through an integrated training on family medicine and the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV (UNICEF, UNFPA).

To address the needs of children and young people living with HIV and boost their adherence to treatment, close to 300 healthcare providers and social workers received trainings, improving their capacity to support children, adolescents and young people living with HIV and their families, including on status disclosure (UNICEF). In addition, over 850 adolescents and young people increased their literacy of HIV, sexual and reproductive health and mental health; and more than 190 peer support group sessions were executed as part of the Teenergizer initiative (UNICEF, UN Women).

Tajikistan passed the Law on Equality and the Prevention of Discrimination to eliminate all forms of discrimination, including HIV-related discrimination after intensive advocacy and support from the Joint Programme and other partners. In addition, the Supreme Court passed a new resolution requiring due consideration of international standards and recommendations while examining criminal liability for HIV exposure and transmission under Article 125 of the Criminal Code (UNDP, UN Women, UNAIDS Secretariat). Access to legal services was also scaled up for people living with HIV following training of 77 lawyers on human rights protection and documentation of violations according to the international human rights standards. Legal services were further provided for 39 litigation cases related to HIV criminalization and six civil cases while five women living with HIV received legal assistance (UNDP, UN Women).

Over 1000 human rights violation cases (50% related to violations against people living with HIV) were documented and more than 840 appeals were received on the HIV hotline through the Rights-Evidence-Action tool (REAct), a community-led monitoring intervention system. Furthermore, 22 representatives of key populations were equipped to provide paralegal counselling and assist in human rights violation cases and referral to REAct (UNDP).

To enhance community-led monitoring and leadership for HIV programming, 20 representatives of civil society organizations were trained on programme monitoring; and 26 representatives of local nongovernmental organizations were empowered to implement comprehensive HIV services for people who use drugs (UNODC). As part of the Spotlight programme, 50 members of the coalition against violence against women were sensitized on HIV, sexual and reproductive health and rights while four civil society organizations working on HIV joined the coalition (UN Women, UNAIDS Secretariat).