Doctors in Astana Discuss Access to Hepatitis C Treatment

November 13, 2025

On November 12, a city seminar for primary healthcare medical workers was held at the Astana HIV Prevention Center in collaboration with the NGO “Life Despite” as part of a campaign dedicated to World AIDS Day. The seminar focused on: “Management of Patients with HIV. The Patient Pathway for HIV-Positive Individuals in Diagnosing and Treating Hepatitis C. Patients’ Rights and Responsibilities.”

The acting director of the Astana HIV Center, D.V. Panchenko, gave the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis among people living with HIV (PLHIV), as well as the need for proper monitoring of patients with co-infections. The head of the city Hepatocenter, K.A. Shamsivalieva, spoke about the coordination between the HIV Center, primary healthcare facilities, and the Hepatocenter, and outlined the referral process for patients requiring Hepatitis C treatment.

According to the seminar organizers, chronic viral hepatitis treatment for patients with HIV is currently receiving significant attention. This is because HIV accelerates the progression of liver damage caused by Hepatitis C, particularly in patients with pronounced immunodeficiency, as it increases HCV concentrations in the blood by 2–8 times, leading to complications and prolonged treatment.

At the conclusion of the event, the parties expressed their readiness to strengthen further cooperation on the treatment of co-infections.

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