Expanding PrEP Coverage: Next Steps and Opportunities

November 15, 2022

Participants of the multilateral meeting on expanding coverage of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for key populations in Kazakhstan discussed topical issues of joint action on November 15 in Almaty.

The meeting was organized with the participation of the Eurasian Coalition on Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity (ECOM) and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe). Among the participants: representatives of KNCDIZ, CDC/PEPFAR, ICAP, UNAIDS, USAID, EpiC project.

WHO/Europe consultant on HIV and STIs, Pietro Vinti, noted that Kazakhstan today is a leader and example in the region in introducing PrEP. He briefed the audience on the updated WHO recommendations on PrEP: differentiated service delivery with a focus on the individual and society, simplification and integration with services for key populations.

 ECOM LGBT Health Coordinator Nikolai Lunchenkov shared the results of the C19RM study - the impact of COVID-19 on the LGBT community in Kazakhstan and ECOM's current progress towards introducing PrEP.

 Information on the provision of PrEP services in Kazakhstan was presented by the head of the department of KSCDIZ Sairankul Kasymbekova. Services have been provided in all regions of the country by AIDS centers and NGOs since 2021. Clients include men who have sex with men, sex workers, people who inject drugs, trans people, and discordant couples. Most of the clients are in the cities of Almaty, Astana and Ust-Kamenogorsk.

The participants got acquainted with the results of NGO projects on PrEP, which are being implemented in Kazakhstan, as well as the work of civil society. The discussion focused on the following questions:

- Priorities and challenges for community engagement and expanding access to HIV testing for key populations,

- Increase in the appeal for services,

- Further steps and opportunities for joint action to expand PrEP coverage.

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