Large-scale event in Central Asia: ECOM holds the first (Sub-) Regional Consultation on PrEP

"While the HIV epidemic is steadily growing among gay men, other MSM and trans people in EECA, we know that PrEP can prevent transmission of the virus by 99%. This is why ECOM is focused on promoting this highly effective method. We were one of the co-organizers of the consultation on PrEP in Central Asia, which provided partners in the region with a platform to share knowledge and experiences. It is important that community organizations are involved in the planning and implementation of PrEP programs from the beginning. As the consultation showed, the countries of Central Asia have much to be proud of in this regard," says Vitaly Djuma, Executive Director of ECOM. 

"Although PrEP is a proven and highly effective method of HIV prevention, its use varies across the WHO European Region. It is very important to us that access to PrEP is universal for everyone who needs it. Each country has its own specifics on how to implement PrEP and what methods are effective for working with key populations. And this consultation allows us to examine the experiences of different countries: what worked, what was effective, what led to good results, what did not work, and what methods still need to be tested. Therefore, the exchange of experiences is one of the key things that distinguishes this Consultation. It is also important that this event brought together representatives of communities, government organizations, donors, and international organizations. And already during discussion of each of the topics, all of these actors understood where efforts can be made and where they can lead to positive results. And this is also very important," notes Doctor Vyacheslav Grankov, Program Coordinator for HIV and STIs of the World Health Organization (WHO) European Office.

"It is important that this consultation is primarily about the community. I think this is very valuable, because in my opinion, the success of the implementation of the PrEP program in Kazakhstan is due to the fact that it was initiated by the community itself. And this once again confirms that when the community itself takes part in programs from beginning to end, they will be successful," says Sayrankul Kasymbekova, KSCDID, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

"This event brought together experts, donors, activists, and community representatives in one space to discuss and build mutually complementary interventions regarding prevention activities for communities. It is very important to be heard and understood, because only together can we discuss problems, join forces and unite everyone who is interested in this," noted Rishat Azikhanov, member of ECOM’s Steering Committee.