The 4^th International Scientific and Practical Conference “Challenges of the Penitentiary Medicine. Tuberculosis and Other Socially Important Diseases in Prisons” is taking place in the conference hall of the National Library of Belarus under the UNDP project “Support of the State Programme “Tuberculosis” in Belarus” which is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Health and funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Experts of state governance bodies, international and public organizations, representatives of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Ukraine, and Estonia are participating in the two–day forum. The conference programme includes discussions on pressing issues of prevention and treatment of tuberculosis and other socially important diseases, organization of infection control in penitentiary institutions.

While stressing the importance of the event, head of the medical service of the Department of Execution of Penalties of the Ministry of Interior, Vasily Zavadskiy, noted that this conference is a means of building up cooperation with foreign colleagues, developing relationships with partner services, civil health care, international and non–government organizations. In turn, Antonius Broek, UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, pointed out that the high risk of catching tuberculosis is a challenge for the whole society, and the situation could be improved only with the efforts joined.

There is a proposal to have a special focus of the conference on international best practices in resolving the problems of treating multi–resistant tuberculosis, developing cooperation between penitentiary and civil TB services, and preventing HIV–infection in the penitentiary system of European countries.

A display of awareness rasing, prevention and scientific–methodical materials on tuberculosis and HIV is arranged within the conference.

For additional information please refer to Public Relations Specialist of the Project “Support of the State Programme “Tuberculosis” in Belarus”, NataliaNemkevich, at 299 51 88, 299 53 17, (029) 127 68 62.

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