WHO Regional Director for Europe Visited Tajikistan to Boost Efforts Against Tuberculosis

DUSHANBE, October 3, 2025: Responsibility, leadership and coordinated action remain crucial to achieving the goal of ending tuberculosis (TB). Dr. Hans Kluge, Regional Director for Europe at the World Health Organization (WHO), visited Tajikistan as part of his participation in the 38th Meeting of the CIS Council for Cooperation in the Field of Health, held in Dushanbe.

On the evening of October 2, representatives of the Stop TB Partnership Tajikistan met with Dr. Kluge to discuss ongoing national and regional initiatives to eliminate TB. The meeting was also attended by TB Ambassadors Noziya Karomatullo and Habib Hakimov, who have been active advocates in raising public awareness about the disease.

During the discussion, participants emphasized that hope and confidence alone are not enough to defeat TB. They underlined the need for the active engagement of all sectors of society in implementing national, regional and global strategies to end TB epidemic.

The meeting also highlighted that multisectoral cooperation in Tajikistan, including the integration and use of WHO’s TB reporting systems, can accelerate progress toward achieving both national and global targets for ending TB.

Dr. Kluge commended the efforts of Stop TB Partnership Tajikistan and the commitment of the country’s TB Ambassadors, noting that the voices of affected communities must be heard at every level of decision-making. He stressed that civil society plays a key role in addressing the needs of people affected by TB, fighting stigma and protecting their rights.

Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening collaboration between Stop TB Partnership Tajikistan, WHO’s Regional Office for Europe, the WHO Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the WHO Country Office in Tajikistan to further enhance TB prevention and control efforts.

The Executive Director of Stop TB Partnership Tajikistan expressed deep appreciation to Dr. Kluge for his unwavering support and leadership in the fight against tuberculosis, both in Tajikistan and across the region. He noted that Dr. Kluge’s tenure has coincided with major global health challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and praised his timely and effective leadership during these crises.

The Stop TB Partnership Tajikistan team welcomed to Dr. Kluge and expressed their gratitude for his continued commitment to improving public health and advancing the shared goal of ending tuberculosis.