KAZAKH SCIENTIFIC CENTER OF DERMATOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

From July 19 to 28, 2025, as part of the World Hepatitis Day, Aktobe region hosted a decade of information and preventive measures under the motto "Time does not wait!". On July 24, a regional seminar on the prevention of viral hepatitis was held on the basis of GP No. 7 in Aktobe. The event was attended by the chief doctors of the city and district medical institutions, specialists from HIV Prevention Centers, Healthy Lifestyle Centers, epidemiologists and hepatologists. "The most dangerous are parenteral viral hepatitis - these are hepatitis B, C, and D. Special attention should be paid to the course of the disease, as this disease can lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer over several years. But today, thanks to prevention and treatment methods, we can reduce the incidence of viral hepatitis.",- concluded Meirambek Kurmangazin— chief freelance infectious disease specialist of the Aktobe region, hepatologist, PhD, Professor, Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases of the M.Ospanov ZKMU. Within the framework of the seminar, presentations were also made by specialists from the Department of Health, the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control, infectious diseases specialists from the Hepatology Center and our colleague Aliya Yerdibekova, an infectious disease specialist at the AIDS Center, on the topic: "Epidemiology of HIV infection in the region and management of patients with HIV/HCV co-infection." The main purpose of the event is to raise awareness among medical professionals and the public about ways to detect, prevent and treat the disease early, as well as to develop interagency cooperation in order to reduce the spread of viral hepatitis. In conclusion, Beknazar Nurmukhanov, a representative of the Department of Health, spoke, who noted the importance of the seminar and expressed gratitude to all participants and speakers.

The State Communal Enterprise at the Right of Economic Management "Regional Center for HIV Prevention" of the Health Department of the Zhetysu Region, following the results of a conducted competition, selected the executor of the state social order aimed at providing support and conducting prevention activities among key populations (PWID, SW, MSM). The executor of this social order is the Public Fund "Taldykorgan Regional Employment Promotion Fund" — an NGO with experience working with key populations. During the meeting, participants discussed issues of intersectoral cooperation, improving coverage with preventive services, identification and support of clients, as well as challenges and ways to increase the effectiveness of fieldwork. As part of the event, training was also organized for outreach workers involved in work with key populations, focusing on practical aspects of conducting HIV rapid testing. The training covered the stages of test administration, counseling protocols, referral procedures for individuals with positive results, as well as ethical and confidentiality considerations when working with key populations. The goal of the training was to strengthen the capacity of outreach workers and ensure broader and more effective coverage of key populations with HIV prevention services.

On July 25, 2025, a training seminar was held in Astana, dedicated to improving the quality of the pre-analytical stage in HIV diagnosis, the rules for conducting rapid testing, and adherence to standards during blood collection. The event was organized as part of efforts to enhance the HIV diagnosis system and to improve the qualifications of medical personnel. The seminar was attended by specialists from the HIV Prevention Center, as well as head and clinical nurses from various medical institutions in the city. During the training, key aspects of the pre-analytical stage were thoroughly discussed — from proper patient preparation and conditions for transporting biological material, to the timing of sample delivery and storage. Particular attention was paid to blood collection algorithms, compliance with aseptic techniques, labeling, and documentation procedures. According to K.K. Askarov, Director of the HIV Prevention Center, the pre-analytical stage lays the foundation not only for the reliability and accuracy of laboratory tests but also for timely diagnosis, treatment assignment, and prevention of further HIV transmission. The organizers reviewed the most common errors, described measures to reduce the number of rejected biological samples, and provided step-by-step guidance for the collection of samples for testing. The second part of the seminar focused on rapid HIV testing. The topics covered included indications for the use of rapid tests, rules for administering them, result interpretation, and ensuring quality during HIV diagnosis using rapid testing methods.

Training for responsible healthcare organization staff on conducting rapid HIV testing was held at the Regional Center for HIV Prevention, a state-owned public health enterprise under the Health Department of Zhetysu Region. The training was conducted in the format of a seminar-workshop. The trainers were M.M. Dumbirova, Head of the Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory, and A.E. Arystan, laboratory technician. During the seminar, participants not only studied the theoretical aspects of rapid HIV diagnostics but also developed practical skills in performing rapid tests and interpreting their results. Rapid HIV testing is a modern method of quick diagnosis that is widely used among key population groups, in emergency situations, among healthcare workers, and for those who wish to undergo confidential testing. Rapid tests can detect HIV-1, HIV-2, and the p24 antigen. They demonstrate high sensitivity (97.5–100%) and specificity (95–99.9%), making them comparable in effectiveness to ELISA test systems. The testing procedure is simple and takes an average of 20 to 40 minutes. Whole blood or serum is most commonly used as the biological sample; however, testing can also be done using oral (gingival crevicular) fluid. The training was aimed at improving the quality of services for early HIV detection and expanding population coverage through effective screening methods.

At the State Communal Enterprise on the Right of Economic Management “City Polyclinic No. 9” under the Akimat of Astana On July 23, 2025, Bakyt Kultanova, Head of the Epidemiology Department of the City Center for HIV Prevention, and epidemiologist Aizhan Zhaylaubayeva provided organizational and methodological support on issues related to the prevention and diagnosis of HIV infection. As part of the visit, a working meeting was held with the Head of Medical and Preventive Services of the polyclinic, Svetlana Korolkova. The discussions focused on current issues related to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, as well as the importance of testing pregnant women and their sexual partners. Training seminars were conducted for the clinic’s medical staff, covering current regulatory and legal frameworks, HIV testing based on clinical and epidemiological indications. Particular attention was paid to raising awareness among general practitioners and specialists about the importance of HIV testing in patients presenting with symptoms or conditions commonly associated with HIV infection, the implementation of rapid HIV testing and post-exposure prophylaxis, as well as the prevention of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and members of key populations. This work is aimed at increasing the awareness of medical personnel and improving the quality of healthcare services, as well as strengthening HIV prevention measures in the city’s medical institutions.

Specialists of the Regional HIV Prevention Center conducted a preventive event for teenagers at the Dostyk children's health camp.