December 18, 2024, Tashkent, Uzbekistan—A three-day national training, held from December 16 to 18, brought together 22 law enforcement officers from the Ministry of the Interior (MIA) and representatives of the Academy of the Ministry of the Interior. The training aimed to enhance law enforcement agencies’ understanding of the public health challenges associated with HIV and promote collaborative efforts with civil society organizations (CSOs) to effectively address these issues.
The training, organized in response to growing regional challenges of rising HIV infections, gaps in prevention and treatment, and stigma against key populations, was designed to equip law enforcement officers with a deeper understanding of the regional HIV epidemic. It focused on the complexities of prevention and treatment, the harmful effects of stigma and discrimination on key populations, and promoting collaboration with community organizations to address public health challenges.
Participants discussed strategies to improve HIV prevention and treatment efforts, including providing awareness training, expanding law enforcement coverage through training programs delivered online or in person, partnering with NGOs, implementing police diversion schemes and integrating these approaches into the Police Academy curriculum. .
“Law enforcement plays a crucial role in creating an enabling environment for effective HIV prevention and treatment,” said Farkhod Narzullaev, head of the Department for Combating Crimes against Morality and Health. organized crime. “By fostering partnerships and promoting understanding, we can create an enabling environment for achieving public health goals and improving collaboration among key stakeholders.”
The training also provided participants with a platform to identify next steps for integrating the discussed strategies into their daily activities and institutional practices. A highlight of the discussions was the potential to incorporate HIV-related topics into police training programs, leaving future generations of law enforcement officers better equipped to address these challenges.
This initiative is part of broader efforts to tackle the HIV epidemic in Uzbekistan and underlines the importance of cooperation between law enforcement authorities and civil society. It reflects the commitment of the Department of the Interior and its partners to build safer, healthier communities.