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Turkmen health professionals learn Kazakhstan’s experience in HIV prevention

Turkmenistan Materials 26 November 2012 16:34 (UTC +04:00)
A delegation of Turkmenistan composed of health specialists from the Ashgabat-based National AIDS Prevention Center and three provincial AIDS centers has recently visited Kazakhstan to learn the experience and practices on HIV coordination, interagency cooperation as well as collection, analysis and use of HIV data
Turkmen health professionals learn Kazakhstan’s experience in HIV prevention

Azerbaijan, Baku, Nov. 26 / Trend V. Zhavoronkova/

A delegation of Turkmenistan composed of health specialists from the Ashgabat-based National AIDS Prevention Center and three provincial AIDS centers has recently visited Kazakhstan to learn the experience and practices on HIV coordination, interagency cooperation as well as collection, analysis and use of HIV data, UNDP press-office reported on Monday.

The Turkmen delegation looked at the partnership framework between the Government of Kazakhstan, NGOs and key population groups at risk of infection in implementing the evidence-based HIV programmes. Members of the delegation also got acquainted with Kazakhstan's experience in providing access to HIV services, including HIV testing, antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, legal and social support to the people living with HIV.

In the meeting with the Joint UN Team on AIDS, members of the Turkmen delegation were briefed on the UN system integrated support to HIV response in Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries. The delegation also looked at the practices related to effective HIV epidemiological surveillance, blood safety, nosocomial transmission of HIV, diagnostics and treatment of HIV, prevention and education on HIV issues. Methods for monitoring and effective delivery of services for HIV patients were also reviewed.

The delegation of Turkmenistan visited a range of local projects in Almaty to gain a better understanding of how Kazakhstan's service providers work within the national policy and legal framework to provide effective HIV services for key populations, including drug users and sex workers.

Members of the Turkmen delegation also met with a US guest speaker to the UN office in Almaty who made a presentation on effective drug prevention and treatment services for women of childbearing age. At the Almaty UN office, the Turkmen delegation also watched a documentary addressing the HIV related stigma and discrimination issues.

"Through exchanging the visits of this type, the countries learn from each other to strengthen and enhancing their national responses to HIV. Ensuring access to quality HIV testing, providing ARV therapy, and focusing on the health needs of key populations are essential instruments to protect the public health and reach the goal of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support," said Roman Gailevich, UNAIDS Country Coordinator for Kazakhstan.

The study visit to Kazakhstan was organized in the frameworks of the project "HIV Prevention" jointly implemented by the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan and the United Nations Development Programme in Turkmenistan. The project aims at strengthening the national response to HIV by enhancing knowledge of national partners and promoting international standards in the work on HIV and AIDS.

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