From 25 to 27 August 2026, specialists from Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) participated in the Days of Kazakhstan Medicine in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The programme brought together medical education, clinical expertise and direct patient care, creating new opportunities for cooperation between the healthcare and academic communities of Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. It demonstrated how international partnerships can support the exchange of knowledge and contribute to the improvement of healthcare services.
The KazNMU delegation included Zhanar Nurgalieva, MD, PhD, Professor in the Department of Outpatient and Primary Care Pediatrics; Roza Seisebayeva, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Head of the same department; Isamdin Kharamov, MD, PhD, pediatric orthopedic and trauma surgeon and Head of the Orthopedic Department at Aksay University Hospital; and Mira Azhakhmetova, MD, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Outpatient and Primary Care Pediatrics.
Activities took place at the Shifobakhsh National Medical Center, Istiqlol Medical Complex and Health Center No. 15. KazNMU specialists worked with healthcare professionals and academic staff from Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, providing clinical, consultative and methodological support. The programme included masterclasses, seminars, patient consultations and detailed reviews of complex cases.
Rather than limiting cooperation to theoretical discussions, the programme focused on the practical application of clinical knowledge. Specialists from both countries examined individual cases, discussed diagnostic strategies and considered suitable treatment options. This format encouraged professional dialogue and enabled participants to compare clinical approaches used in different healthcare settings.
The practice-based programme supported the exchange of expertise in paediatric pulmonology, allergology, endocrinology, cardiology and primary care. Particular attention was given to the connection between specialised treatment and accessible primary healthcare, which plays an essential role in the early identification of childhood diseases, timely referral and long-term patient monitoring.
A major component focused on paediatric orthopaedics. Dr. Kharamov shared the experience of Aksay University Hospital in the surgical management of scoliosis and demonstrated techniques used to correct spinal deformities in children. Joint demonstration procedures included complex foot surgery and surgical treatment of childhood scoliosis. They were conducted in collaboration with Dr. S.S. Abdaliev of the N.D. Batpenov National Scientific Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics in Astana.
These procedures provided an opportunity to exchange practical experience at every stage of clinical care, from assessing patients and planning treatment to discussing surgical techniques and postoperative management. The collaboration illustrated the value of combining the expertise of specialists from different institutions when treating complex musculoskeletal conditions in children.
KazNMU faculty also presented current approaches to serious and chronic childhood conditions, including cystic fibrosis, acute bronchiolitis, cardiac disorders, type 1 diabetes, obesity and bronchial asthma. The sessions connected evidence-based protocols with the everyday challenges faced by clinicians caring for children with complex needs. Participants discussed the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care and continuous observation of children with chronic diseases.
Training also covered Integrated Management of Childhood Illness, breastfeeding counselling, early intervention, the GMCD programme, care for newborns with jaundice and pre-hospital emergency algorithms for children. Separate educational sessions addressed differentiated approaches to diagnosing and supporting children with autism spectrum disorders.
The diversity of the programme reflected the broad range of competencies required in modern paediatric care. Alongside specialist treatment, the sessions emphasised prevention, family counselling, developmental monitoring and rapid responses to emergency conditions. These areas are particularly important for strengthening primary healthcare and improving the continuity of care from infancy through adolescence.
By combining prevention, emergency care and specialist treatment, the programme highlighted the importance of coordination across the child health system. It also gave participants practical tools that can be adapted to local services and used in future professional training. Masterclasses and case discussions created an environment in which healthcare professionals could ask questions, share their experience and identify areas for further cooperation.
The visit strengthened links among KazNMU, Aksay University Hospital, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University and partner healthcare organisations. Joint procedures and case discussions created a practical basis for further academic, scientific and clinical collaboration in paediatrics, primary healthcare, paediatric orthopaedics and traumatology.
The initiative also reflects United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17, which encourages effective partnerships and knowledge exchange. For KazNMU, the Days of Kazakhstan Medicine demonstrated how a university can contribute beyond its national borders by sharing clinical expertise, learning alongside regional partners and developing cooperation centred on better health outcomes for children.