Tajikistan

In 2022, the national HIV response was galvanized with the adoption of a new antidiscrimination law, the integration of HIV services in primary healthcare, and the expansion of HIV prevention services for vulnerable and key populations. For instance, quality of HIV services improved thanks to the revised national HIV treatment guideline in line with WHO recommendations; more than 95% of people living with HIV under treatment switched to a Tenofovir, Lamivudine and Dolutegravir (TLD) regimen due to the implementation of an antiretroviral treatment optimization plan (UNDP, WHO). Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services were integrated in primary healthcare services, with new quality monitoring and evaluation guidelines; and 40 primary healthcare doctors were trained on PMTCT service delivery and HIV-related stigma and discrimination in healthcare facilities (UNICEF). More than 60 primary healthcare facility and hospital managers and 110 specialists from HIV service centres and reproductive health facilities are better equipped to provide HIV services for pregnant women. Through mobile sessions in remote areas, an estimated 1100 pregnant women and women of reproductive age benefited from information on HIV prevention during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding (UNFPA).

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) was introduced; 15 opioid agonist therapy sites are operated by end of 2022, including a newly opened site in a pre-trial facility (UNODC); and 46 302 people who inject drugs, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and prisoners were reached with HIV combination prevention services, of whom 36 435 people were tested for HIV (UNDP). Thanks to collaboration with national partners, community-based responses are stronger and better able to scale up HIV services among key populations and people living with HIV, including through the adoption of social contracting in Tajikistan (UNDP, UN Women, UNAIDS Secretariat).