Saglyk

HIV prevention center opens in Ashgabat

Turkmenistan's first information-educational center for youth on HIV
prevention has been set up in Ashgabat with the support of the Ministry of
health and medical industry of Turkmenistan, the National HIV/AIDS
Prevention Center and the Youth Organization of Turkmenistan named after
Makhtumkuli as well as the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

According to the Turkmen State News Service (TDH), the prime task of the
center, which is part of USAID's CAPACITY project, is to increase awareness
on prevention of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infectious diseases among
youth as well as to combat the spread of drug addiction. In this regard, the
center will organize educational interactive peer-to-peer trainings using
role games as well as thematic meetings, informative talks and etc.
Psychological-social support and qualified counsel on the issues of
reproductive health will be offered to young people. In future, such centers
will be opened in all provinces of Turkmenistan.

It should be recalled that Turkmenistan has been implementing the 2005-2010
national programme on HIV/AIDS/STD prevention for several years now as part
of the state programme "Saglyk" (Health).