December 1, 2025
The debate «From challenges to transformations in the response to HIV» has already been held at Astana Medical UniversityOn November 27, 2025, as part of the Global AIDS Campaign, a debate on «HIV and society» among medical students was held at the Astana Medical University, organized by specialists from the Center for Healthy Lifestyle Education in conjunction with the Astana HIV Center.
Two teams participated in the debate - 1st and 2nd year students of the Faculty of Medical and Preventive Medicine. The positions «for» and «against» were determined by lot between the teams. Medical students discussed and debated on the following topics: «Why is HIV important to society?», «Why is it important for people to have the right to privacy?», «What helps reduce stigma and support people living with HIV?», «Should a person always inform their partner about their HIV status?».
During the event, students were able to undergo rapid HIV testing free of charge and confidentially and receive information and educational materials. A total of 35 students were tested.
In conclusion, the jury members, which included specialists from the HIV Prevention Center, Deputy Director of the Bukeeva Research Institute, Zh.K., senior researcher at the Dalenov Research Institute of Preventive Medicine, O. M. Kozhamkulov, thanked the participants for their activity, expressed opinions and points of view, and also noted the high level of knowledge of the students, awarding prizes places.
more »December 1, 2025
HIV in Focus for Health and Education ProfessionalsA traditional meeting with educators dedicated to World AIDS Day was held in Kokshetau.
On 28 November 2025, an online meeting took place to discuss current issues in HIV prevention within the education system.
The event brought together vice principals for student affairs from regional colleges and Kokshetau schools, heads of methodological associations, and education department specialists from across the Akmola region.
Opening the meeting, Nurlybek Konuspayev, a specialist from the Akmola Regional Center for HIV Prevention, emphasized that the health and education sectors play a key role in shaping a culture of safe and responsible behavior among children and adolescents.
The seminar-meeting consisted of several substantive sessions. The information and education session reminded participants of core concepts related to HIV and modern approaches to prevention.
A separate presentation outlined the epidemiological situation in the Akmola region.
Participants also received practical recommendations to strengthen joint action between health and education professionals in HIV prevention.
The event concluded with a Q&A session and a discussion of participants’ proposals. The meeting resulted in a set of joint decisions aimed at improving the quality of HIV prevention among young people and enhancing collaboration between the education and health sectors.
more »December 1, 2025
“Red Ribbon and Green Leaf”: Social and Educational Event in PetropavlA clean environment and care for one’s health are two interlinked values — and it was around these ideas that the event “Red Ribbon and Green Leaf” was organized, bringing together school students at the Gabit Musrepov Regional Children’s and Youth Library in Petropavl.
The event was co-organized by the Regional Center for HIV Prevention, the Petropavl Youth Resource Center, the Gabit Musrepov Regional Children’s and Youth Library, and the Phoenix NGO, a branch of the Answer Foundation.
The meeting was structured around two thematic areas:
Red Zone – HIV Prevention.Students took part in an interactive quiz titled “HIV: Myths and Reality” led by library staff. After the game, specialists from the Regional Center for HIV Prevention reminded participants about HIV prevention measures, personal responsibility, and the importance of being informed.A book exhibition on HIV was also presented by the library team.
Green Zone – “Taza Qazaqstan” (Clean Kazakhstan).In this section, students demonstrated their knowledge of environmental issues and, together with staff from the Youth Resource Center, discussed eco-friendly habits and ways each person can contribute to protecting the environment.
Another highlight of the event was the announcement of results of the drawing contest dedicated to World AIDS Day. The jury noted that the students’ artwork reflected not only creativity but also a deep understanding of the topic. All participants received certificates and gifts.
“The main idea of this event is to show that human health and environmental health are closely connected. Making conscious choices today is an investment in our country’s future,” said Oksana Simukhina, specialist from the Regional Center for HIV Prevention.“We thank all professionals, teachers, and students who took part and showed such enthusiasm. Together, we are building a responsible generation!”
more »December 1, 2025
East Kazakhstan Region: HIV Prevention Lecture for University StudentsAhead of World AIDS Day, a large-scale information and awareness lecture on HIV prevention was held at Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University. The event, organized by the East Kazakhstan Regional Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS, brought together around 100 students in one of the university’s largest lecture halls.
Specialists from the Center delivered detailed presentations and video materials covering key aspects of the topic — from the modes of HIV transmission to modern approaches to prevention. Special attention was given to addressing myths and misconceptions that continue to hinder the development of informed and responsible attitudes toward health.
During the lecture, students actively engaged in discussion, asked questions, and expressed interest in protective measures and HIV testing options. According to the organizers, such interactive formats help break down barriers and encourage open dialogue among young people about an important public health issue.
Representatives of the AIDS Center emphasized that knowledge and awareness are key factors in preventing the spread of HIV. Similar educational sessions will continue to be held in schools and universities across the region to ensure that as many young people as possible have access to accurate information and can make informed, responsible decisions about their health.
more »November 28, 2025
A round table titled “Take Care of Yourself — Know and Act!” was held in KokshetauAnother event dedicated to World AIDS Day took place at Abay Myrzakhmetov Kokshetau University.
On this day, November 27, the student audience became a platform for discussing current health issues. The participants talked about measures for preventing HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections, the importance of early testing, and also paid attention to the topic of tuberculosis.
Interestingly, the round table with the telling title “Take Care of Yourself — Know and Act!” truly reflected the essence of what was happening. Young men and women not only received useful information from healthcare professionals but were also able to learn their HIV status right at the event.
“Today we had a truly productive and engaging meeting with the youth. It is gratifying that the university students were very active, and the topics discussed sparked genuine interest. Such collaboration between medical and educational institutions gives young people the opportunity to safeguard their health, pay attention to risky behaviors, and, if such risks exist, correct them,” shared Asel Baltabayeva, head of the preventive work department of the Akmola Regional Center for HIV Prevention.
As a reminder, every year on December 1, World AIDS Day is observed worldwide. Its goal is to draw public attention to the issue of HIV spread and to show support for people living with this diagnosis.
more »November 27, 2025
HIV prevention - It is important to know your HIV status! On November 27, 2025, as part of the Global AIDS Campaign under the slogan «From challenges to transformations in response to HIV», specialists from the Center for HIV Prevention of the Astana city Akimat conducted a large-scale rapid HIV testing campaign for employees and visitors of the Astana Shopping Center.
more »November 27, 2025
Youth in Aktobe Tested Their Knowledge About HIV in an Intellectual QuizThe Aktobe Regional Center for HIV Prevention, together with the private fund “Qoldau Event,” organized an intellectual quiz game for the region’s youth. The event was timed to coincide with World AIDS Day, observed on December 1.
The main goal of the event was to draw young people’s attention to the issue of HIV spread, provide accurate and complete information about the main HIV prevention measures, methods of timely diagnosis, and to foster a conscious and responsible attitude toward health among the younger generation.
Participants, representing six teams, had to complete five rounds, each requiring answers to questions about HIV prevention, protective measures, and preventing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. The game showed that students were best informed about protective measures and routes of HIV transmission. In total, there were 30 questions on HIV prevention.
“For me, this quiz was an excellent opportunity not only to test my knowledge but also to learn a lot of new things. The game format makes the topic of HIV more understandable and accessible for us, young people. I think such events should be held more often,” said participant Ayim Sabit.
At the end of the quiz, all teams received certificates and consolation prizes, while the winning teams taking 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places were awarded cash prizes.
Students from Aktobe Regional University named after K. Zhubanov, Bopai Khanim Higher Medical College, Bolashak Higher Medical College, and West Kazakhstan State Medical University named after M. Ospanov participated in the game.
The quiz took place at the “Aqtobe IT Hub” coworking center. During the event, all visitors and attendees of the coworking center could take express HIV testing and receive informational brochures titled “HIV Can Be Invisible – GET TESTED.”
more »November 27, 2025
Youth “HIV Party” in the Abai RegionIn the Abai region, events dedicated to World AIDS Day continue under the motto: “From Challenges to Transformations in Response to HIV.”
The Regional Center for HIV Prevention, with the support of the leadership of Alikhan Bokeikhanov University, organized one of the main campaign events: an interactive youth event called the “HIV Party.”
The speakers at the event included Dilara Tukeeva, a doctor from the Regional Center for HIV Prevention; Adil Kadyrgaliev, a representative of the NGO “SocKZ”; and a person living with HIV.
Adil Kadyrgaliev, as a public figure, spoke about how he maintains openness when society is not always ready for honesty and what it means for him to be a person of support.
The person living with HIV shared their life story: how they accepted their status, their motivation for antiretroviral (ARV) treatment, and their active role in educating youth about HIV prevention.
Dilara Tukeeva emphasized that knowledge and openness play a key role in reducing stigma against people living with HIV. When society understands how HIV is transmitted, that modern therapy allows people to live full lives, and that it does not pose a risk to others, fear and prejudice disappear.
In a live dialogue format, students discussed the most important HIV prevention issues, debunked common myths and stereotypes, and highlighted the importance of regular testing and supporting people living with HIV.
During the event, an educational quiz in the Kahoot game format was held to test participants’ knowledge about HIV. The most active participants were awarded prizes from the organizers.
Students showed high engagement, and at the end of the event, all interested attendees underwent rapid HIV testing.
more »November 27, 2025
Students in Atyrau Debunk Myths about HIV at an HIV-themed EventFrom 10 November to 10 December, Kazakhstan is holding the national information campaign “From Challenges to Transformations in the HIV Response.” As part of this campaign, specialists from the Atyrau Regional Centre for HIV Prevention organized an innovative meeting for students of Kh. Dosmukhamedov University — an HIV-themed event.
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