Almaty has joined the Global Campaign "Time for Equality"

November 24, 2022

A worldwide campaign under the motto "Time for Equality" is being held in Almaty from November 21 to December 1. It was initiated by UNAIDS and dedicated to World AIDS Day.

Forty years have passed since the first cases of AIDS were registered, but HIV still remains a global threat.  The motto of the United Nations HIV Programme/AIDS (UNAIDS) "Time for Equality!" is a call to action. It encourages all of us to implement proven practical measures necessary to eradicate AIDS. Among them: improving the availability and quality of services for the treatment, testing and prevention of HIV infection, so that every person in need is provided with everything necessary.

- Due to increased access to effective means of HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care, infection has moved into the category of chronic diseases. As part of the implementation of the goal of the UN Political Declaration of 2021 and the goals of UNAIDS, 95-95-95 of the estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Almaty know their HIV status, 86 percent of them receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) - 81, have an undetectable viral load – 86 percent, which is one of the highest indicators in the country, - said the deputy chief physician of the AIDS Center of Almaty A. Denebaeva.

Curbing the spread of HIV infection is ensured through the implementation of prevention programs among the general population and key groups in accordance with international recommendations. Special attention is paid to the prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child. Two-time routine HIV testing of pregnant women in antenatal clinics is carried out, this allows timely start of preventive measures. Since last year, pre—contact HIV prevention has been introduced - taking highly active ART drugs by people who do not have HIV in order to reduce the risk of possible infection. All patients registered at the dispensary at the AIDS Center receive ART within the framework of the GOBMP. They are treated for concomitant diseases and provided with psychological assistance and legal advice.

- Over the past two years, non-governmental organizations and community organizations have proven their ability to quickly adapt to new challenges, quickly solve problems in crisis situations and provide people with the necessary HIV services. We are ready to take on all the work of providing services to key groups - we have the people, experience, knowledge and understanding of exactly what and how to do it.— President of the Central Asian Association of People Living with HIV Nurali Amanzholov urges.

Preventive work among the population and key groups is carried out by doctors together with non-governmental organizations. NGO employees distribute personal protective equipment through trust points, friendly offices and outreach workers, redirect them to testing, provide social and psychological support to PLHIV and their close environment. An important focus of the work is the popularization of HIV testing. Today, an HIV test can be taken at the Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS, or at the polyclinic at the place of attachment voluntarily, confidentially and free of charge. One of the innovative models using modern, digital technologies is online ordering of HIV tests for self-testing, for people who had a risk of HIV transmission. This work is carried out jointly with ICAP within the framework of the Almaty Model project. It is the first project within the framework of the global initiative of the Elton John Foundation to fight AIDS "RADIAN"Model Cities" and is implemented by a consortium of local government and non-governmental organizations.

- During the implementation of the project, more than 6 thousand representatives of key population groups have been covered by various preventive, social and legal services by public organizations. The experience of the "Almaty Model" was presented at two international conferences: in Canada and Spain, - says the Director of the Almaty Model project on HIV Epidemic Control, ICAP at Columbia University, Mira Sauranbayeva.

During the campaign, the doctors of the AIDS Center in Almaty, together with communities and NGOs, carry out various activities aimed at increasing the knowledge of the population about HIV prevention measures. Actions with rapid HIV testing and distribution of information and educational materials were organized for employees of business structures; trainings were organized for doctors, police officers, teachers, military personnel, employees of the penitentiary system, outreach workers. On December 1, an open Day is planned at the AIDS Center.

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