On June 4–5, 2025, the city of Shymkent hosted the 4th International Scientific and Practical Conference titled “Current Infectious Diseases in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Central Asia.” The event was held in accordance with the 2025 scientific and practical activities plan of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan and was organized by the Department of Infectious Diseases and Dermatovenereology, with the support of the leadership of the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy (SKMA), under the direction of Rector Zh.S. Seitzhanova.

The official opening ceremony featured participation from key figures, including: Rector of SKMA (Shymkent) Zh.S. Seitzhanova; Head of Shymkent City Health Department N.A. Asylbekov; Deputy Director for Clinical and Analytical Work of the Central Research Institute of Epidemiology at Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Moscow), MD, Professor N.Yu. Pshenichnaya; and Mohammad Sajadi from the Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
The conference gathered leading scientists from the USA, Russia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and various regions of Kazakhstan. More than 60 presentations were delivered in both in-person and online formats, covering pressing topics in infectious diseases, epidemiology, parasitology, phthisiology, and antimicrobial resistance.
Distinguished scientists and professors recognized in the field of infectious diseases participated as keynote speakers, including: N.Yu. Pshenichnaya, O.A. Burgasova, N.V. Saperkin (Russia); Zh.A. Anvarov (Uzbekistan); Z.K. Dzholbunova (Kyrgyzstan); B.N. Kosherova, Zh.S. Seitzhanova, R.I. Rozenson, Sh.A. Kulzhanova, S.T. Dosskozhaeva, F.D. Utepov, G.N. Abuova, Ye.M. Smail, and F.A. Berdaliyeva (Kazakhstan).

The conference registered over 300 participants, including infectious disease specialists, pediatricians, epidemiologists, and general practitioners from across Kazakhstan, including Turkistan, Kyzylorda, Mangystau, West Kazakhstan, Abai, Zhetysu, and Taldykorgan regions, as well as from the cities of Astana, Almaty, Semey, and Shymkent.
Departments of infectious diseases from major Kazakhstani medical universities also took an active role in the event, including Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU), Astana Medical University (AMU), Karaganda Medical University (KMU), South Kazakhstan Medical Academy (SKMA), and West Kazakhstan Medical University named by Marat Ospanov. The young scientists' section was held with great enthusiasm, where winners were awarded diplomas of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees.

The conference successfully achieved its objectives: uniting the efforts of infectious disease physicians, epidemiologists, general practitioners, and other healthcare professionals in tackling urgent issues related to infectious disease control; exchanging advanced experience in the development of new treatment approaches and prevention strategies; and expanding international cooperation among scientists.
To conclude the conference, guests were invited on a guided tour of the historical and cultural landmarks of Shymkent and the mountainous areas of Turkistan Region.