Participation in the WHO subregional meeting

November 30, 2022

On November 28-30, in Almaty, the staff of the CNDDIZ took part in a subregional meeting organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in cooperation with the Center for Health Policy and Research.

The meeting brought together representatives of Ministries of Health and heads of HIV control programs from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Uzbekistan and SOS Project partners on a single platform to discuss ways to improve HIV testing services in accordance with WHO recommendations and exchange experience in reviewing testing strategies in different countries. 

 The participants got acquainted with the regional action plans for the elimination of AIDS and epidemics of viral hepatitis and STIs for 2022-2030. Particular attention was paid to the review of updated WHO recommendations on HIV testing services and the widespread use of rapid diagnostic tests (DET), which should ensure maximum access to HIV testing services for key populations at high risk of HIV infection and transmission.

Late HIV diagnosis remains a problem for most European countries: in 2020, 50% of people with newly diagnosed HIV infection sought help too late, with CD4-lymphocyte counts < 350 cl/mcl at diagnosis, and only 78% of people living with HIV knew about their status (70% in Eastern Europe parts of the region). In this connection, representatives of Kyrgyzstan and Moldova shared their country experience in the process of transition to new HIV testing strategies.

Ways of further improvement of services were discussed at the meeting

HIV testing in accordance with WHO recommendations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as well as a work plan to assess the cost-effectiveness of the existing HIV testing strategy and a strategy based on DET.

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