Kyrgyzstan boosts HIV funding amid global aid crisis

Kyrgyzstan is stepping up its financial commitment to combat HIV/AIDS, joining a growing number of countries in bolstering their national response. This move comes amidst a significant global funding crisis for HIV programs, as detailed in a new report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

The UNAIDS report points to a severe crisis characterized by declining external funding, restrictions on human rights, and insufficient investment in community-based prevention and support. International development aid has dropped by 23% in some countries between 2024 and 2025, impacting on-the-ground efforts. This has led to a 22% decrease in HIV testing rates in regions with high infection rates, hindering early diagnosis and treatment and allowing the virus to spread. Funding for essential supplies like condoms has been cut by over 90% in some cases, and the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has also sharply declined.

Without stable external funding and increased domestic spending, there is a serious risk of disruptions in HIV therapy, inevitably leading to a surge in mortality and new infections. The report notes that since 2010, new HIV infections have risen in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Latin America.

However, positive trends are also emerging. The proportion of domestic funding in the overall HIV response has grown significantly, from 28% in 2010 to 52% in 2024. As of January 2025, over 54 countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, have pledged to increase their internal funding. UNAIDS welcomes these new financial commitments from donors like the United States and the Global Fund, which will facilitate a collaborative investment system with countries and plan the transition to self-financing. As of May 1, 2026, Kyrgyzstan has registered 15,732 HIV cases, with 14,802 among its citizens and 930 among foreign nationals.

“

Without stable external financing and increased domestic spending by countries, there is a serious risk of interruptions in therapy, which will inevitably lead to a surge in mortality and infections.