Event highlights
7 August 2024
Achievements, challenges, and development prospects highlighted during the International Scientific and Practical Conference
Bishkek hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference titled “30th anniversary of the Kyrgyz Immunoprophylaxis Program: achievements, challenges, and development prospects”. The event marked a significant milestone in the nation’s public health journey, bringing together eminent health professionals and representatives from international organizations.
Participants included representatives from the Robert Koch Institute in Germany, the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health of the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan, the Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immunobiological Products named after M.P. Chumakov from the Russian Federation, the Department for Control of Vaccine-Mediated Infections of the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, and the Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Kazakhstan.
The Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, established on 6 September 1994, played a pivotal role in organizing the event. The center’s founder, epidemiologist Svetlana Firsova, led the center from 1994 to 2001, laying the groundwork for the nation’s immunization services. Subsequently, Dr Joldosh Kalilov, a distinguished immunologist and prominent health worker, headed the center for 16 years. Since April 2017, Gulbara Ishenapysova has served as the center’s director, continuing its legacy of excellence.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Health Bubuzhan Arykbaeva highlighted the critical role of the National Immunoprophylaxis Program for 2020–2024 in achieving national, regional, and global immunization goals: “Regular routine immunization is a cost–effective public health strategy worldwide, the implementation of which dramatically reduces child morbidity, mortality and disability compared to other health interventions. According to WHO, immunization against poliomyelitis (polio), tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis prevents 2 to 3 million deaths each year, saves about 10 000 lives every day and protects millions of people from disease and disability. Between 2000 and 2022, measles vaccination prevented 57 million deaths, making the measles vaccine one of the most beneficial public health achievements. Since 2000, the number of polio cases worldwide has decreased by more than 99%.”
The conference facilitated discussions on the importance of immunization in preventing infectious diseases, addressing the spread of measles in the WHO European Region, vaccine safety, the role of public awareness, increasing demand and trust in immunization, and evaluating the effectiveness of vaccinations against various infections, including viral hepatitis B in Kyrgyzstan.
Organized by the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, and the World Health Organization in Kyrgyzstan, the event also saw representatives of partner organizations being honoured with commemorative plaques for their contributions to the development of immunoprophylaxis in Kyrgyzstan.
The conference not only celebrated past achievements, but also set the stage for future advancements in immunization and public health, reinforcing Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to protecting its population through effective vaccination strategies.
Event notice
21 June 2024
Bishkek to host the International Scientific and Practical Conference titled “30th anniversary of the Kyrgyz Immunoprophylaxis Program: achievements, challenges, and development prospects.” The event will mark a significant milestone in the nation’s public health journey, particularly immunization, bringing together eminent health professionals and representatives from international organizations.
The conference is organized by the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, and the World Health Organization in Kyrgyzstan.