Tengrinews.kz - The Department of Medical Assistance Services under the Ministry of Healthcare of Kazakhstan has shared the number of children and adults living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the country.
"As of November 30, 2024, 32,231 people living with HIV (PLHIV) are registered at HIV prevention centers, including 372 children under the age of 18," the department reported in response to a query from the editorial office.
It was noted that dynamic monitoring and provision of antiretroviral drugs to people living with HIV are carried out within the framework of the guaranteed volume of free medical care (GVFMC).
"Currently, in the Republic of Kazakhstan, 18 types of antiretroviral drugs are included in the List of Medicinal Products and Medical Devices for Free and (or) Preferential Outpatient Provision for Certain Categories of Citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan with Certain Diseases (Health Conditions), as approved by the order of the Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated August 5, 2021. Children under 18 with HIV and patients from the Turkestan region and the city of Shymkent are provided with medications from a single manufacturer for their entire lifetime," the Ministry of Healthcare added.
The cost of a one-year course of antiretroviral therapy with first-line drugs is 104,025 tenge per year. The cost of second-line drugs, which are prescribed when there is drug resistance or contraindications to first-line drugs, amounts to 1,330,790 tenge.
Earlier, The American company Gilead Sciences, Inc., announced the creation of a vaccine against HIV. However, results from a recent Gilead-funded clinical trial (Purpose-2) led by physicians at Emory University and Grady Health System indicate that a twice-yearly injection of Lenacapavir offers a 96% reduced risk of infection overall, making the injection significantly more effective than daily oral PrEP.
"Lenacapavir" is an injectable antiretroviral drug from the class of HIV capsid inhibitors, but it is not a vaccine. It is used both for the treatment of HIV infection in people living with HIV and for pre-exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection among the population, including key groups," the Ministry of Health explained.
