An international conference in Almaty brought together experts from Central Asia and beyond to expand access to modern tuberculosis treatments and advance scientific innovation.
The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the National Scientific Center of Phthisiopulmonology, and the international nonprofit organization TB Alliance held an international conference, “Towards Tuberculosis Elimination: Progress, Challenges, and New Opportunities,” on October 29-30. The event brought together representatives of national tuberculosis (TB) programs from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and other countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia, alongside international experts and partners.
Key topics included expanding access to innovative treatments, improving diagnostics, introducing digital solutions, and advancing patient-centered approaches to care.
Kazakhstan is strengthening its position as a regional center of expertise in the fight against TB. The country continues to introduce modern diagnostic and treatment methods, develop patient support systems, and expand the use of shorter treatment regimens. International cooperation enables countries to share practical experience and accelerate the adoption of effective solutions within national health systems.
“Consistent efforts, the introduction of modern technologies, and close collaboration with international partners are helping us achieve significant results in the fight against tuberculosis. For Kazakhstan, it is important not only to develop our own TB care system, but also to support the exchange of knowledge and successful practices with countries across the region. Our shared goal is to ensure that patients have timely access to effective treatment,” said Malik Adenov, Chief Doctor of the National TB Center in Kazakhstan.
One of the conference’s central themes was the introduction of six-month, all-oral treatment regimens for drug-resistant tuberculosis, including BPaL and BPaLM. These regimens shorten treatment compared with traditional, longer courses and reduce the burden on patients. Participants discussed practical experience with these new approaches, strengthening laboratory and clinical infrastructure, and measures to address barriers that limit access to treatment.
Special attention was given to PeerLINC, an initiative implemented by TB Alliance. It connects specialists and national TB programs to share practical solutions and adapt successful approaches to individual country contexts. This model of collaboration helps build workforce capacity and expand the use of modern treatments.
Participants also explored prospects for the development of next-generation drugs and treatment regimens. TB Alliance is investigating new drug combinations, including sorfequiline-based regimens, that could potentially make treatment for drug-resistant TB even shorter and easier for patients to take.
The organization’s long-term 1×1×1 strategy sets out ambitious goals: treating latent TB infection in one day, active TB in one month, and ensuring access to new treatments within one year of their approval. Achieving these goals requires advance preparation within national health systems, including strengthening diagnostics, updating clinical protocols, ensuring regulatory readiness, and sustaining collaboration with healthcare organizations and communities.
“Developing new drugs is only part of the solution. Countries also need the knowledge, infrastructure, and capacity to introduce innovations. Collaboration with Kazakhstan and other countries in the region helps accelerate access to modern treatments and prepare for the next scientific advances,” said Sandeep Juneja, Senior Vice President of Market Access at TB Alliance.
The conference continued the regional dialogue launched at the Regional Parliamentary Summit on Tuberculosis in Almaty in 2025. The resolution adopted at that summit called for stronger political commitment, sustainable financing for TB programs, expanded partnerships, and faster access to innovations. The conference reaffirmed the importance of continued coordination among countries in the region, the exchange of expertise, and the development of joint approaches to TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
Kazakhstan will continue to collaborate with TB Alliance, national TB programs, and international partners to strengthen health systems, expand access to effective treatment, and advance toward the shared goal of eliminating tuberculosis.
About TB Alliance
TB Alliance is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding faster-acting and affordable drug regimens to fight TB. Through innovative science and with partners around the globe, we aim to ensure equitable access to faster, better TB cures that will advance global health and prosperity. TB Alliance operates with support from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (United Kingdom), Gates Foundation, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) through KfW, Global Disease Eradication Fund (South Korea), Global Health Innovative Technology Fund, Korea International Cooperation Agency, MedAccess, Raoul Follerau Foundation, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, United States Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP), United States Department of State, United States National Institutes for Health – National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), and United States National Institutes for Health – National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). For more information, please visit: www.tballiance.org.