Specialists Study Infection Control, Blood Safety on U.S. Study Tour
Ten specialists from health facilities in Southern Kazakhstan Oblast and the Ministry of Health participated in an “Infection Control and Blood Safety” study tour in the U.S. from August 1-21, 2007. The tour was organized by the USAID Community Connections program in support of the Government of Kazakhstan’s efforts to improve infection control procedures in Southern Kazakhstan following the 2006 HIV outbreak in Shymkent.
During their three weeks in the U.S., program participants observed blood transfusion processes in medical settings and discussed various systems for promoting infection control management with their American counterparts. Kazakhstani specialists learned how government and non-profit organizations deal with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and blood transfusions, as well as how policies and regulations facilitate infection control. Technical aspects of the tour were complemented by home stays in American communities and a range of cultural events.
Participating Kazakhstani medical professionals said that they will apply their new knowledge to improve guidelines and procedures in their professional areas of responsibility. USAID and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention plan to engage tour participants in a follow-up conference on blood safety and infection control in Shymkent later this year.
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| Ten Kazakhstani medical specialists upon return from their study tour, with USAID and Community Connections staff |
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