On May 30, the healthcare minister Azhar Giniyat reported on the current situation with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and discussed measures for providing appropriate medical care in Kazakhstan during the government meeting, QazMonitor reports citing the ministry of healthcare.
Giniyat emphasized that HIV remains a pressing problem for the domestic healthcare system, as the incidence rate in the country has doubled over the past 10 years, while the mortality rate from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has decreased by 1.7 times.
In Kazakhstan, medical care for affected individuals is provided at the level of primary healthcare services as well as in 20 HIV prevention centers across the country.
Giniyat noted that HIV in Kazakhstan affects 0.3% of the population, while the global average stands at 0.7%. Furthermore, the minister outlined the systematic measures taken to increase the accessibility of relevant services. These measures include providing innovative methods of testing and treatment, expanding the list of drugs within the guaranteed volume of free medical care from 12 to 16 items, implementing 12 prevention programs in accordance with WHO recommendations, and expanding information and educational efforts.
Additionally, the government has approved the 2023-2026 roadmap for countering HIV on a statewide level. The roadmap includes measures for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease, the development of specialized non-governmental organizations, the improvement of human resources, and other initiatives.
