TB DIAH’s team in the Kyrgyz Republic is working closely with the National Tuberculosis Control Program, the Ministry of Health, and their partners to revise national monitoring and evaluation guidelines, strengthen the knowledge and capacity of TB monitoring and evaluation specialists, and improve the quality and accessibility of TB data. See below to get to know a little more about the team!
TB DIAH Project Director Totugul Murzabekova
Lives in: Besh-Kungey, Chui oblast, Kyrgyz Republic
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
The possibility of improving the quality of the TB program in my country.
What was your dream job when you were a child? What did you want to grow up to do?
I wanted to be an elementary school teacher when I was a child. To teach others and to share my own knowledge and experience are still part of my nature and practice wherever I have worked so far.
What’s one food that always makes you think of home?
There’s a special recipe for fried potato that makes me think of home.
Has there been any silver lining to the COVID era? Any lessons learned, personally or professionally, that you believe will serve you (or society) well, after the worst of the pandemic is behind us?
I am pleased by the social responsiveness of the people to each other in KR. Our volunteers were self-organized without relying on the country officials and helped a lot of those who were in need. I believe that our people are the best and we will go through any difficulties together with bravery and dignity.
What was your first job?
I was nursemaid in the hospital where I wanted to get an experience before applying to the medical university.
What was the worst job you ever had? What was the best? What made it so bad/so good?
I never had the worst job as I considered any job as the possibility for the getting new experience which is always precious.
Which living person do you most admire?
Andrea Isinegger, my ex-supervisor at Doctors without Borders, who made a significant contribution to my country [by working] to change the situation in TB program for prisoners.
What is your motto? Never give up! Tomorrow is a new day and new opportunities!
TB DIAH Project Officer Aibike Artykbaeva Md, MPH
Lives in: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
I am most excited about the opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills as well as learn from global TB experts on a daily basis.
What was your dream job when you were a child? What did you want to grow up to do?
As a child I dreamt of becoming a lawyer, I was inspired by the idea of defending the innocent. Nevertheless, I decided to become a doctor at a more conscious age.
What’s one food that always makes you think of home?
Shorpo (Kyrgyz traditional soup, made from lamb, vegetables, and spices)
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to be able to play piano professionally and speak fluently a couple more new languages.
What is your motto?
There’s a rainbow always after the rain.
TB DIAH Finance and Administration Manager Bermet Kachkinbaeva
Lives in: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
What’s the most interesting thing about your job?
I consider my job as great job of a watch maker. Every detail compliments the whole mechanism, which is essential for orientation in future, to evaluate your past and analyze present.
What was your dream job when you were a child? What did you want to grow up to do?
When I was a child at the beginning, I wanted to be a school teacher. Then I wanted to be an airhostess, because at that moment it was the only way to travel around the world.
What’s one food that always makes you think of home?
My country is very popular for its festive national food. Any Kyrgyz food reminds me about home.