How self-isolation and solidarity can save lives during the COVID19 pandemic

April 6, 2020

Inga Babicheva, coordinator of the TB and HIV program, UNDP Kyrgyzstan. Photo: Marion Biremon / UNDP Kyrgyzstan

Inga Babicheva, coordinator of the UNDP / Global Fund project, tells in an interview how to protect vulnerable people during the COVID19 pandemic.

- How does the Global Fund project continue to protect people with HIV and TB during the COVID19 pandemic?

Since 2011, our project helps the Ministry of Health and the government to provide quality treatment for patients with HIV and TB, and organizes prevention among key groups of the population.

During these times of global pandemic, when we are advocating for self-isolation, when some regions of Kyrgyzstan are under an emergency state, the most important for us is to ensure that patients with TB and HIV can continue taking their treatment. We need to make sure that they have the possibility, regardless of this difficult situation, to receive treatment for a longer period of time. And we need to make sure that clients from our prevention programs continue to receive information, testing and protection every day.

The Ministry of Health together with NGOs and our project published several orders allowing people with HIV to receive their treatment for three months or more, and people with drug-resistant TB to receive their treatment for 10 days. This way, they don’t have to go to the clinic every single day to take treatment, and we do not expose them to high risks of getting infected with the new coronavirus.

On behalf of the UNDP and the Global Fund, I want to ensure all of our clients and all patients who are suffering from TB or HIV that all necessary medication, all protection, all medical equipment used for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these infections will be delivered on time.

- Is it still possible to get tested for TB or HIV?

For those who might have been infected with HIV or TB, those who have symptoms and who are doubting whether or not they should go to the doctor now, those who may think that doctors are currently busy only with the COVID19 pandemic, I want to say: no, you shouldn’t wait, consult a doctor immediately. All doctors are ready to help you, and all services that were available before are still available now. That’s why if you think you may have HIV or TB, go to a hospital, get tested, get diagnosed on time and receive your treatment as soon as possible. The COVID19 pandemic and the emergency state are not reasons to delay treatment. 

Photo: Marion Biremon / UNDP Kyrgyzstan

- People who live with HIV are in the risk group for COVID19. What would you like to tell them?

I would like to address people who have HIV but are not on treatment. Your immune system is weakened and you are very vulnerable to COVID19 and other diseases. The earlier you start treatment, , the faster your immune system will be restored and the less risks you will have of falling ill. 

- What would you like to tell Kyrgyz citizens, so that we are able to win this fight against COVID19?

I want to talk about our doctors, our nurses, our peer consultants. The thing is there’s probably still a lot we don’t know about this virus, and these people are on the frontline fighting against COVID19, risking their lives, wasting their health, to help us, to help everyone. They do not choose whom to treat. And I would like to ask everyone to stay home. This is important to lessen the burden on medical workers and hospitals because it’s the only way to avoid a mass infection in our country. It’s the only way we can help medical workers and help them go back home to their children, husbands and wives as soon as possible. Please help them by staying home and thank them whenever you have the opportunity to.

The Kyrgyz people have a great expression, «Ырыс алды ынтымак» which means “friendship wins all”. During this pandemic I would like to say that if you know a vulnerable person, a person with a chronic disease, a person who needs your help – be there for them. Call them, go to the store for them, help them buy food and medication. If they need medical help call the emergency or a doctor. Let’s be together, let’s be patient, tolerant and united in these difficult times.