Kyrgyzstan: Former Prisoners Struggle to Continue TB Treatment

In the landlocked and mountainous country of Kyrgyzstan in central Asia, prisons have long been a breeding ground for tuberculosis (TB). Many prisoners are released before concluding their treatment and if they are unable to continue treatment they are more likely to delevop resistant strains of the disease.

Sergei, a prisoner and TB patient, receives medical consultation two days before his release from Colony No. 31 penal institution in Kyrgyzstan.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Sergei takes his TB medicines.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Sergei gets ready for his release from prison.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Sergei is experiencing a painful attack in the intensive therapy ward of the city TB hospital in Bishkek.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
An MSF doctor exams Sergei.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Another former prisoner, Oleg, is registered at the Bishkek TB prophylaxis center immediately after his release from prison.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Oleg’s chest is x-rayed at the Bishkek TB prophylaxis center.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
A TB patient undergoes a diagnosis procedure.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Released inmates put on clothes provided by MSF community workers near Colony No. 31.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
MSF staff organize the departure of a patient just released from prison to Osh.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Volunteers learn how to wear protective masks during a seminar in the western province of Jalal-Abad.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Dilshat, an MSF community worker, talks with a patient.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
MSF case managers and nurses from the outpatient clinic of a hospital in Tokmak, in the north of the country, visit a patient’s house. A nurse holds up an x-ray of the patient’s chest so his relatives can see it.
© Alexander Glyadyelov
Sardal completed his TB treatment in 2008 after receiving assistance from MSF’s community support team. Now he sells onions in one of Bishkek’s markets.
© Alexander Glyadyelov