Kyrgyzstan Opens AIDS Center

OSH (RFE/RL) -- The director of a leading Kyrgyz NGO working to prevent the spread of AIDS has announced the opening of a new HIV-AIDS diagnostic center in the southern city of Osh, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Anti-AIDS Union Director Elmira Narmatova said the center is equipped with modern technology and staffed with experienced professionals.

She said there are nearly 1,000 people in Kyrgyzstan who are officially registered as HIV-positive, but the real number of infections is much higher.

The majority of Kyrgyz HIV patients are intraveneous drug users.