ISTC Participates in International Conference Marking the 95th Anniversary of the Medical Service of the Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Mr. Aibolat Abitbekov, ISTC Deputy Executive Director, and Ms. Samal Assainova, ISTC Senior Program Manager, took part in the International Scientific and Practical Conference dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the Medical Service of the Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Medical Service), held on 10–11 November 2025 in Astana.

The conference brought together leading experts, scientists, and practitioners to discuss current challenges and achievements in healthcare, public health, and medical service development.

Among the distinguished speakers were Dr. Akmaral Alnazarova, Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Dr. Hans Henri Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, who emphasized the importance of international cooperation and innovation in strengthening national healthcare systems.

An important highlight of the event was the presentation by Ms. Saule Sharipova, Director of the Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise under the Medical Service, who showcased the establishment of the Poisons Information Center in Kazakhstan, a significant outcome of the EU CBRN CoE Project 87 “Preparedness and Response for Mass Gatherings and Health Threats in Central Asia”, implemented by ISTC.

The Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise, together with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, represented Kazakhstan in this 3,5-year EU-funded project, completed in June 2025. The creation of the Poisons Information Center represents a major advancement in Kazakhstan’s public health and chemical safety infrastructure, contributing to better preparedness and response to toxicological and chemical incidents.

The ISTC is proud to have supported this milestone and remains dedicated to ensuring the sustainability and long-term impact of its initiatives across its partner countries.

Looking ahead, the ISTC seeks to further strengthen its partnership with the Medical Service and other national stakeholders — not only in the field of public healthcare, but also in capacity building for specialists in chemical safety, biosafety and biosecurity, nuclear and radiological medicine, and other emerging areas of cooperation, including particularly the responsible and innovative use of artificial intelligence to support these domains.