Kyrgyzstan Develops Capacity to Conduct Antibiotic Sensitivity Studies
With USAID support, Kyrgyzstan recently became the first country in Central Asia able to conduct antibiotic sensitivity studies. Such expertise was developed during a USAID-funded study on drug resistance in the treatment of gonorrhea, which, along with other sexually transmitted infections, is at epidemic levels among the risk groups in the country. In preparation for the study, USAID procured testing equipment for four laboratories and provided consultants to guide the analysis. Findings, presented in October 2007, revealed that the most commonly used antibiotic in Kyrgyzstan is not effective for gonorrhea treatment. The final report will suggest alternative regimens.
This new technological capacity enables the Ministry of Health to conduct antibiotic sensitivity studies for the development of syndromic treatment protocols for sexually transmitted infections at the primary health care level. Such approach is expected to reduce treatment costs and increase the success rates. Kyrgyzstan is planning to continue this work using grants from Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Other Central Asian countries are planning to use the study results to develop their own gonorrhea treatment protocols, as well.
Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in men and women and to infants born to mothers with active infection.
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The Kyrgyz State Sanitary Epidemiology Department (SSED) now has both expertise and equipment to conduct antibiotic sensitivity studies
Photo Credit: Kyrgyz Republic Ministry of Health |
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