IV Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “Antimicrobial Resistance – Challenges in Healthcare”

The IV Republican Scientific and Practical Conference “Antimicrobial Resistance – Challenges in Healthcare” was held in Astana at the Astana Medical University.

Leading specialists from Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, and other countries participated in the conference, bringing together scientists, doctors, laboratory specialists, and educators to discuss key aspects of the prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)—one of the major public health threats of the 21st century.

A welcoming speech on behalf of the National Expertise Center was delivered by First Deputy Chairperson of the Board, Ainagul Musina. In her address, she emphasized that the conference was dedicated to one of the key threats to modern healthcare—the rise of antimicrobial resistance—and expressed confidence that the plenary presentations, sectional sessions, and exchange of professional experience would make a significant contribution to strengthening the healthcare system and developing effective strategies for the rational use of antimicrobial drugs.

Antimicrobial resistance remains one of the most serious global health threats. In the context of the rapid increase in microbial resistance to antimicrobial drugs, the conference provided experts with an interdisciplinary platform to discuss effective approaches to monitoring, preventing, and controlling AMR.

Particular attention of participants was drawn to the session titled “Current Issues of Foodborne Antimicrobial Resistance,” held in celebration of the NEC’s 10th anniversary. The session featured invited international speakers and representatives of the National Expertise Center:

• Bakhram Tukhtarov, MD, PhD, Professor, Head of the Department of General Hygiene and Ecology, Samarkand State Medical University (Republic of Uzbekistan);
• Nailya Karsybekova, MD, PhD, Professor, Head of the Scientific Management and International Cooperation Sector, NEC;
• Natalya Kochkina, Specialist, Sanitary-Hygienic Laboratory, NEC North Kazakhstan Regional Branch;
• Gulzhan Maksutova, Project Management and Coordination Manager, NEC.

The experts presented data on the spread of foodborne AMR, highlighting the importance of strict control of antibiotic prophylaxis in animal husbandry, ensuring food safety, and applying international standards such as Codex Alimentarius. The session addressed medical aspects of irrational antibiotic use in veterinary medicine, issues of controlling residual levels of chloramphenicol in food products, and food safety measures in the context of combating antimicrobial resistance in the food sector.

The conference represented an important step in uniting the efforts of the scientific and medical community of Kazakhstan with international partners.

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