World TB Day, falling on March 24th each year, is designed to raise public awareness about the global TB epidemic. March 24th marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch discovered the cause of TB: the TB bacillus. Koch’s discovery was the first step towards diagnosing and curing TB.

• In Almaty, most-at-risk populations were offered free HIV tests and TB screenings at a mobile unit set up near the City AIDS Center. Edutainment events with games on TB symptoms and prevention were also organized in nightclubs.
• In Karaganda, sex workers were reached with information on TB and offered free TB screenings following the informational sessions. 20 sex workers were screened for TB.
• In Shymkent, a concert was organized for female prisoners. During the event, information on TB and the coinfection of HIV and TB was provided through theater, dance, and song. 150 inmates participated in this event.

Kyrgyzstan

• In five sites in Bishkek and Chui Oblast, an “Information Train” was organized in collaboration with the Chui Oblast TB Center. A mobile unit traveled to each of the sites providing free TB screenings for most-at-risk populations. While waiting for test results, participants received basic information on TB – what it is, its symptoms, transmission methods, detection, treatment, and adherence to treatment. 212 persons were screened on the Information Train. 6% of those who were screened (13 persons) had positive results.
• Also in Bishkek, an event called “Living Library” was organized for students from three major universities – Kyrgyz Russian Slavonic University, Kyrgyz National University and Bishkek State University. Among others, a young woman who had TB as a student and a local anchorwoman who addresses issues confronting vulnerable populations spoke about their experiences as “live books” for the students. 144 students participated in the event and received information on TB and stigma reduction.
• In Osh, a joint event for injecting drug users and sex workers was held to raise awareness about TB. Outreach workers provided information to 15 injecting drug users and 14 sex workers through games, presentations, and videos.
• Throughout Kyrgyzstan, information on TB was broadcast for four days on three of the most popular radio stations: Evropa Plus, Russkoe Radio, and Kyrgyzstan Obondoru. Along with presenting key messages on TB, interviews with representatives of state TB centers and TB-prevention organizations were broadcast.