The seminar was organized by the Mangystau Regional Center for HIV Prevention. It was attended by 63 specialists from public healthcare organizations and private medical centers responsible for conducting rapid HIV testing.

During the seminar, participants were informed about cases in which rapid HIV testing is conducted based on epidemiological indications, the categories of people subject to testing, and the procedure for organizing rapid HIV testing.

The participants also discussed measures to prevent emergency situations that may occur in medical organizations, ensure the safety of healthcare workers, and follow safety precautions when working with biological fluids.

As part of the practical session, specialists demonstrated the procedure for conducting a rapid HIV test and explained the testing stages, requirements for handling biological material, and procedures for evaluating the results.

During the discussion, participants asked questions related to the topic and received answers from the specialists.

             During the meeting, specialists from the Center provided up-to-date information on the epidemiological situation regarding HIV infection in the capital, discussed the routes of HIV transmission, key prevention measures, and modern approaches to HIV testing and treatment.

              Particular attention was paid to the importance of regular HIV testing. Specialists noted that timely testing allows individuals to learn their HIV status, receive the necessary counseling, and, if needed, start treatment promptly.

              The participants also discussed the importance of accurate and responsible coverage of HIV-related topics in the mass media, as well as the need to prevent the spread of myths, stigma, and discrimination against people living with HIV.

              The journalists had the opportunity to ask the Center's specialists questions and receive professional answers. It was emphasized that the mass media play an important role in increasing public awareness and promoting a responsible attitude toward one's health.

              The Astana City HIV Prevention Center reminds the public that HIV testing is available within the framework of the guaranteed volume of free medical care and on a confidential basis.Timely HIV testing is an important step toward maintaining good health and receiving necessary medical care without delay.

The discussion began with a core focus: how the virus is transmitted. The experts outlined three transmission routes: sexual, bloodborne (including the use of unsterilized instruments), and vertical (from mother to child). For each route, they explained the practical measures that effectively minimize the risk.

A dedicated segment covered testing. In Astana, screening is available free of charge and anonymously, with a rapid test taking only a few minutes. The earlier a person learns their status, the more effective the treatment. Modern antiretroviral therapy allows individuals to maintain their health, continue working as usual, and completely prevents transmission to a partner once an undetectable viral load is reached.

Everyday social interaction sparked the most questions. Employees were reassured that HIV is not transmitted through handshakes, hugs, shared utensils, clothing, or doorknobs, as the virus is highly unstable in the external environment. Ignorance of these basic facts is frequently the root cause of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

As the Center's specialists emphasized, people often fear their own misconceptions more than the virus itself. Once a workforce understands how HIV is actually transmitted, baseless fears disappear.

Following the lecture, participants had the opportunity to ask the experts questions directly. These on-site workplace meetings are an integral part of the Center's systematic prevention strategy. Engaging an industrial workforce makes it possible to simultaneously reach hundreds of individuals who might rarely seek out this vital information on their own.

The goal of the training is to enhance the professional competence of specialists, improve practical skills, and develop a unified approach to organizing preventive work against HIV infection in medical organizations.

The participants included responsible specialists from primary healthcare organizations, private medical organizations, hospitals, maternity departments, and district hospitals. This representation made it possible to consider issues related to HIV prevention at various levels of medical care delivery.

- «The main goal of the training is not only to update the theoretical knowledge of specialists but also to reinforce the practical skills they need in their daily work. Special attention was paid to early detection of HIV infection, testing rules, maintaining confidentiality, preventing stigma and discrimination, as well as the ethical principles of interaction with patients», -  noted Aigul Duisenbayeva, head of the Aktobe Regional Center for HIV Prevention.

During the five‑day training, specialists studied issues related to early detection of HIV infection, counseling and proper information provision to patients, and prevention of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child. Special attention was paid to organizing preventive work with women and children and to the interaction between specialists in maternity departments and other medical organizations.

The practical component included issues related to ensuring quality at the pre‑laboratory stage of HIV diagnostics, as well as proper collection, storage, and delivery of biomaterial to the HIV Center’s laboratory. The specialists also honed their skills in conducting rapid testing and solving situational tasks.

Following the five‑day training, an assessment was conducted, which made it possible to evaluate the level of knowledge and practical skills acquired, as well as the specialists’ readiness to apply them in their professional activities.

Holding a regional‑level seminar helps to improve the qualifications of HIV coordinators and strengthen the quality of preventive work in medical organizations in the Aktobe Region.

According to Rustem Moldagali, Acting Chief Physician of the Akmola Regional HIV Prevention Center, most of the campaigns are held in busy public places, including parks, embankments, and shopping centers. In this area, the Center actively cooperates with Youth Health Centers and educational institutions.

“Such campaigns generate considerable interest among the public, so we plan to continue this practice in the future,” said the head of the medical organization.

During the outreach activities, specialists not only provide counseling but also offer rapid HIV testing. The test systems used make it possible to obtain results within a short period of time without lengthy waiting.

As Assel Baltabayeva, Head of the Center’s Prevention Department, explained, fourth-generation rapid HIV tests are used during the campaigns.

“They make it possible to detect the virus at earlier stages by identifying not only antibodies but also the p24 antigen,” the specialist explained.

The Center’s specialists note that HIV is now transmitted mainly through sexual contact. Therefore, it is important to make informed and responsible decisions about one’s sexual behavior. Healthcare professionals recommend delaying sexual debut, maintaining mutual fidelity in relationships, and using condoms during all types of sexual activity.

Opening the meeting, B.Zh. Sagimbayev, Director of the Karaganda Regional AIDS Center, emphasized that timely diagnosis of HIV is one of the healthcare system's key priorities. The earlier the disease is detected, the sooner the patient can start therapy and reduce the risk of further HIV transmission. Clear coordination between PHC organizations and the AIDS service plays an essential role in this process.

O.Yu. Mokrousova, Head of the Epidemiological Department, presented data on the epidemiological situation for the first 7 months of 2026, analyzed HIV testing coverage based on clinical indications, and addressed issues regarding patient routing within PHC. Her report also highlighted that accurate coding in primary care is crucial for epidemiological analysis.

O.I. Orlova, Acting Head of the Treatment and Prophylactic Department, focused on the clinical indications for HIV screening. In its early stages, HIV is often asymptomatic, and its manifestations can resemble common conditions such as acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI), intestinal infections, and others. Therefore, in cases of prolonged, recurrent, or atypical symptoms, primary care physicians must remain vigilant and consider HIV as part of differential diagnosis.

At the same time, testing should not be limited solely to cases with obvious clinical indications or preparation for scheduled surgeries. Any patient visit to a medical facility can serve as an opportunity for timely HIV detection.

Participants also separately discussed the significance of the pre-analytical phase, noting specifically that proper temperature storage conditions and rapid logistics of biological materials are critical for reliable results.

To reinforce the material, guidelines on diagnosing HIV and managing patients with HIV/HCV co-infections were provided. The review of real clinical cases made it possible to evaluate the consequences of late detection of the infection.

At the end of the workshop, specialists from the AIDS Center answered questions from the audience. The main conclusion of the meeting is unequivocal: it is necessary to increase population screening coverage so that every primary care physician understands that it is better to detect the disease in a timely manner than to treat it at an advanced stage.

During the interview, the epidemiological situation in the region, the main routes of HIV transmission, as well as the importance of screening and early testing were discussed. Particular attention was paid to increasing testing coverage among residents of remote settlements and the early detection of HIV infection through rapid testing.

The interview also covered the provision of antiretroviral medicines to people living with HIV, access to treatment, and medical monitoring.

The program also addressed the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, promoting safe behavior among young people, preventing stigma and discrimination, and maintaining medical confidentiality.

At the end of the interview, the specialist called on residents to take responsibility for their health, undergo timely HIV testing, and pay close attention to HIV prevention measures.

Early detection of HIV infection is an important step toward timely initiation of treatment.

Three teams of school and college students took part in the event. At each quest station, participants completed thematic tasks aimed at improving legal and information literacy, preventing offenses, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

One of the thematic stations was organized by specialists from the Regional Center for HIV Prevention. Participants took part in a quiz where they were able to test their knowledge of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention measures.

Thematic stations were also organized by the Psychological Support Center of North Kazakhstan Region, the departments for combating cybercrime and drug-related crime, and the Youth Health Center.

“We always support interagency initiatives aimed at working with young people. This format makes it possible to discuss several important topics at once in an accessible and engaging way. Today, these are health, safety, and responsible behavior. As part of the event, we were able to reach around 60 young people with prevention activities,” said Oksana Simukhina, a specialist at the Regional Center for HIV Prevention.

The quest concluded with a joint team-building session, followed by the environmental picnic “Qurultai – Circle of Unity!” The picnic brought participants together in an informal setting and was aimed at promoting environmental awareness and a responsible attitude toward the environment.

At the end of the event, the most active volunteers of Petropavlovsk were recognized on behalf of the city akim for their contribution to the development of the volunteer movement, participation in socially significant initiatives, and active civic engagement.