The country has the lowest number of health professionals per habitant, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The incidence of tuberculosis in Tajikistan, 231 per 100,000 habitants, is the highest within the European region, as defined by the WHO; it is leading to serious economic losses, as in other central Asian countries, according to the WHO.
MDR-TB (multi-resistant tuberculosis) hinders considerably the fight against this disease. The death rate is 80%, compared to 5% in the case of patients with ‘classis’ tuberculosis after treatment.
Fondation Mérieux, in partnership with The Global Fund, has therefore chosen to build a Rodolphe Mérieux Laboratory in the capital of Dushanbe. Building work will begin at the end of 2010 with an expected completion date at the end of 2011.
The research teams of Fondation Mérieux (Emerging Pathogens Laboratory) will be involved with on-site training and keeping personnel up-to-date, together with other tuberculosis professionals.