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Yuldash Djalilov, a 60-year-old cattle farmer from Uzbekistan, has 14 good reasons to stay healthy: his 14 wonderful grandchildren. But his high cholesterol interfered with his ability to live a full, active life and put his health at significant risk.
Through the Central Asian Cardiovascular Disease Initiative (CACDI), a joint program between AmeriCares and Merck to improve heart health in Uzbekistan, Yuldash received the medicines and education he needed to make a change. With his total blood cholesterol now significantly down, the health danger is gone. He can spend more time with his beloved grandchildren – and he was able to fulfill his lifelong dream of making a pilgrimage to Mecca.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Uzbekistan. To address this need, CACDI has provided free cholesterol-lowering medications to 550 patients, including Yuldash. Through the program, patients have received free, excellent care, greatly reducing likelihood of potentially fatal heart problems. The treatment allows them return to work, earning a much-needed income. They also receive no-cost education to learn how to prevent the problem from recurring. In addition to transforming the lives of patients in dire need, the medicines and care has eased the burden on Uzbekistan’s overtaxed public health system.
As part of CACDI as well as through our ongoing global medical aid, AmeriCares has delivered a total of $135 million in cardiovascular medications to Uzbekistan in the past five years, allowing patients like Yuldash to reclaim their lives and move forward with a healthier future.
Learn more about AmeriCares work in Uzbekistan here.
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