“The Choice is Yours!”: Information Meeting in Atyrau Brings Together 300 Students

November 11, 2025

From 10 November to 10 December, Kazakhstan is holding a national information campaign titled “From Challenges to Transformations in the HIV Response.” The campaign is dedicated to World AIDS Day (1 December) and aims to raise public awareness on HIV prevention and treatment, as well as to combat stigma and discrimination.

As part of this national initiative, an information meeting titled “The Choice is Yours!” was held in Atyrau, at the N. Balgimbayev Centre, for students of local specialized educational institutions.
The goal of the event was to reduce the risk of HIV transmission among young people and to promote a healthy lifestyle.

More than 300 young people attended the meeting and actively participated. Their interest and questions showed that youth are engaged and care about this issue.

Dr. Asem Serikbayeva, epidemiologist at the Atyrau Regional Centre for HIV Prevention and Control, spoke in detail about the importance of health and personal responsibility:

“Compared to last year, the indicators have decreased. Previously, HIV was more often transmitted among people who inject drugs through the sharing of needles, while in recent years, cases of sexual transmission have increased. This shows that young people should not be indifferent to personal responsibility.”

One of the highlights of the meeting was a “Healthy Lifestyle” flash mob prepared by students of the Atyrau Higher Medical College. Through dance, they conveyed the importance of being active and leading a healthy life.

The event helped young people develop a sense of responsibility for their own lives and understand the importance of protecting themselves from HIV infection.

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