UNDP Programme on HIV/AIDS and National TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation agreed to cooperate and launched the first Resource Center for journalists to cover issues about HIV/AIDS and related social topics

1.December.2009, Tuesday, 18:03

On 1 December, 2009, World AIDS Day, UNDP Programme “Support to the Government in Response to HIV in the KR” and National TV and Radio Broadcasting Corporation signed a Memorandum of cooperation and officially launched the first Resource Center in the country, which will help the media to cover topics on HIV/AIDS and other related social problems.

The purpose of the Resource Center is to strengthen capacity of journalists and make mass media more visible and active in their response to the global epidemic.

Speaking at the press conference dedicated to grad opening of the Center, General Director of NTRBC Kaiyrgul kyzy Orozbai said that the facility will be open to all journalists who wish to excel professionally in covering HIV/AIDS issues, regardless of the type of medium they work for.

Acting Resident Representative of UNDP in Kyrgyzstan Sultan Hajiev noted that NTRBC was chosen as a host for the Resource Center as a result of contest and subsequent evaluation process of all the key mass media in Kyrgyzstan.

Organizers of the project will develop and compile a library of books, audio, video, electronic materials, journals and periodicals on HIV/AIDS and other related topics, such as healthcare, human rights, gender equality, poverty reduction, problems of stigma and discrimination. 

These informational and technical resources are to provide journalists and experts with facts and comprehensive data, and will assist in preparing materials and raising public awareness about HIV/AIDS.

According to the study conducted in 2009 by the Project Implementation Department of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, more than 70% of young people in Kyrgyzstan - the group most vulnerable to HIV - have flawed information and understanding about HIV and AIDS. Notably, nearly 80% of those surveyed said that for them TV and newspapers are the primary sources of information about HIV/AIDS.  Therefore, media play central role in delivering the right message and informing population.

According to the latest UNAIDS report, nearly 60 million people have been infected with HIV and 25 died from AIDS since the disease was first recorded. 

As of December 1, 2009, there are 2671 officially recorded HIV cases in Kyrgyzstan, according to the National AIDS Union. Experts are concerned with a steep rise in the number of HIV cases among women who do not belong to risk groups. This indicates the spread of the virus among general population. For instance, the number of women with HIV among the overall revealed cases in 2008 increased four times compared to 2001 – from 8% to 33%.

Effective response to HIV epidemic will reduce mortality rates, improve access to treatment, and will alleviate the problem with stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.  Such a response could substantially influence on the country’s development in a positive way.

“Media are able to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on human development through systematic, accurate and comprehensive reporting about issues related to HIV/AIDS. This is why UNDP Programme on HIV/AIDS is actively working on strengthening media capacity,” said Aisuluu Bolotbaeva, Manager of the UNDP Programme “Support to the Government in Response to HIV in the KR”.

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.