REG is pleased to announce a call of expression of interest for researchers to participate in the analytical project “Mapping population size and HIV service needs for migrant key populations in Kazakhstan” for a Remote registration and treatment mechanism development.
RESEARCH RATIONALE
The Republic of Kazakhstan, as a country receiving a large number of foreign migrants, is one of the EECA countries with the most advanced and humane policies in the area of ensuring access of migrants to HIV treatment. International migrants living with HIV are not deported from the country. Since 2020, with the release of the new version of the Code ‘On Public Health and Healthcare System’, foreign nationals, including those living with HIV, who are permanently residing in Kazakhstan and have a residence permit, are entitled to free medical care as a part of the National Guaranteed Amount of Free Medical Care.
However, according to a conducted study on determination legislative and financial barriers to obtaining medical care, despite the legally established possibility of obtaining a residence permit that would guarantee free medical care for HIV-positive migrants, foreign citizens must undergo an HIV test. A positive result subsequently becomes a barrier when submitting documents to the migration service – employees refuse to accept documents from such foreigners to obtain a residence permit.
The proposed project aims to map population size and HIV service needs for migrant key populations in Kazakhstan; to define barriers in access to HIV services faced by foreign migrants residing Kazakhstan. Received data and further analysis is to be used in needs assessments and will form the basis for the development of assistance programs for foreign migrants residing in Kazakhstan as well as for development and maintaining remote registration and treatment opportunities in migration.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
To map population size and HIV service needs for PLHIV and KP foreign migrants and to identify their needs and barriers in accessing HIV, humanitarian and psychosocial services in Kazakhstan for further development of remote registration and treatment mechanism.
For detailes, please see ToRs for the Study Team, including a Main writer, Data support specialist, National Coordinator and Community specialist.
The deadline for submission of applications is April, 30.