Director of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention visits Kyrgyzstan

AKIPRESS.COM - Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Robert R. Redfield, MD visited the Kyrgyz Republic May 29 to learn more about CDC activities and partnerships in Central Asia, including those that are supported through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the US Embassy said.
Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic Kosmosbek Cholponbayev told Dr. Redfield in a meeting, "We acknowledge the Center's contributions over many years in training our epidemiologists, reducing HIV/AIDS, and developing clinical protocols for influenza prevention. We are ready to cooperate and adopt international practices for local conditions." Dr. Redfield also visited the Republican AIDS Center, the Republican Narcology Center, and the Bishkek AIDS Center.
CDC has been supporting public health activities in Kyrgyz Republic since 1995, and works closely with the Ministry of Health on several important initiatives to fight HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. CDC also works with the Ministry of Health to build capacity to investigate and respond to disease outbreaks that adversely affect the health of Kyrgyz citizens. All of CDC's activities in the Kyrgyz Republic are carried out in close cooperation and with the approval and support of the Kyrgyz government.
Director Redfield's visit builds on a series of U.S. official visits aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and solidifying cooperation between the United States and the Kyrgyz Republic.