Aims
- Training of students, interns, residents in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases;
- improving the quality and efficiency of the educational process at the department;
- introduction of innovative teaching methods in the disciplines of the department;
- conducting scientific research on the study of epidemiology, immunopathogenesis, improving the diagnosis and therapy of infectious diseases at the present stage, participation in international scientific projects;
- advanced training of teaching staff, scientific potential of the department;
- advisory and methodological assistance to medical institutions of the city of Astana and the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- satisfaction of the needs of medical institutions by qualified and competitive specialists;
- improvement of the indicator of satisfaction of interested parties with the work of the department;
- participation in republican and international conferences, congresses.
History of creation
The Department of Infectious Diseases was established in 1967. The first head of the department until 1974 was Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor V.P. Osipov. From 1974 to 1983, the department was headed by Associate Professor I.N. Gnutov. In 1983, the Academic Council of the Central State Medical Institute entrusted the leadership of the department to Candidate of Medical Sciences I.F. Kotlyarov. From 1988, for 10 years, the department was led by Associate Professor E.N. Kolos. From November 1999 to January 2013, the department was headed by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Gulnara Ukmanovna Alshinbaeva; from January 2013 to February 2014, Associate Professor Gulsara Gazizovna Imambaeva; and since February 2014 to the present, the department has been headed by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Sholpan Adlgazievna Kulzhanova.
The Department of Phthisiology was also founded in 1967. Initially, the department was established based at the Regional Tuberculosis Dispensary and currently operates at the City Center of Phthisiopulmonology in Astana. The organizer and first head of the department (1967–1971) was Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Stanislav Dmitrievich Poletaev. From 1971 to 1998, the department was led by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Honored Worker of Public Education, Professor Gennady Alexandrovich Vyadro. From 1998 to 2000, the head was Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Galimzhan Borankulovich Rakishev. From 2000 to 2001, the head of the department was Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Vladimir Petrovich Grigorevskiy. From 2001 to January 2004, the course was led by Doctor of Medical Sciences Anatoly Ivanovich Kolos. From April 2004 to 2025, the head of the department was Associate Professor Anatoly Alekseevich Bugakov. Since September 2, 2025, Professor Bugakov A.A. remains the head of the course. Since its establishment, the department has employed: until 1978, Candidate of Medical Sciences D.N. Kalacheva; from 1969 to 1976, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor G.A. Kalinichev; from 1970 to 1993, Candidate of Medical Sciences B.A. Plevakin; from 1970 to 1998, Candidate of Medical Sciences L.M. Gudym; from 1972 to 1980, Z.N. Gritsulyak; from 1973 to 1999, V.I. Shafeeva; from 1984 to 1993, Associate Professor V.V. Bulgakov; from 1995 to 2002, O.G. Ivanova; from 1995 to 2004, K.M. Satinova; from 1996 to 2002, A.D. Panchenko; from 1999 to 2003, A.G. Takabayev. Currently, the department staff includes: Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences G.S. Bekembaeva, Associate Professor, Candidate of Medical Sciences G.B. Nashenova, Assistants M.G. Potapchuk, N.K. Selikhanova, K.Zh. Aysarova, and D.D. Chunkayeva. Faculty members have defended 4 doctoral dissertations: S.D. Poletaev (1968), G.A. Vyadro (1974), G.A. Kalinichev (1974), A.I. Kolos (1999); and candidate dissertations: D.N. Kalacheva (1971), Z.N. Gritsulyak (1972), A.A. Bugakov (1992), S.L. Bugakova (1999).
Starting from the 2025-2026 academic year, the Departments of Infectious Diseases and Phthisiology were merged. The new department was named the Department of Infectious Diseases and Phthisiology. The purpose of this merger is to increase the efficiency of educational and scientific processes, integrate educational programs, optimize personnel and scientific potential, and develop an interdisciplinary approach in training future physicians. The merger has given a new impetus to the development of interdisciplinary approaches in teaching, clinical practice, and scientific activities, which is especially relevant in the modern healthcare environment.The Department of Infectious Diseases and Phthisiology of the Non-Profit Joint Stock Company "Astana Medical University" is based at the State Communal Enterprise "City Infectious Diseases Hospital" of the Astana City Akimat (A1 Street, 5, City Center of Phthisiopulmonology, Block B) and at the State General Communal Enterprise "City Center of Phthisiopulmonology" of the Astana City Akimat (A1 Street, 5, City Center of Phthisiopulmonology, Blocks A and B).
Activity
Educational and pedagogical activity: The Department of Infectious Diseases and Phthisiology conducts the educational process for the discipline "Infectious Diseases" for students in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years of the Faculty of Nursing; 3rd-year students of the Faculty of Medical and Preventive Care; 3rd and 4th-year students of the Faculty of Public Health; 4th-year students of the Faculties of Dentistry and Pediatrics; and 6th-year interns specializing in General Practice (GP) and Therapy.
The discipline "Phthisiology" is taught to 4th-year students of the Faculties of Pediatrics and Dentistry, as well as 6th-year interns specializing in General Practice, Therapy, and Pediatrics. Residency programs include specialties in Infectious Diseases (including pediatric infectious diseases), Family Medicine, and Dermatology (including pediatric dermatology).
Interactive and innovative teaching methods have been introduced and are actively used in the educational process, including Problem-Based Learning (PBL), Case-Based Learning (CBL), Team-Based Learning (TBL), interactive teaching methods, simulation technology methods, video lectures, Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), video materials, mini-clinical examinations, standardized patients, vertical and horizontal integration, and integrated symposiums.
Research Activity: The main directions of the research work of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Phthisiology at the Autonomous Non-Commercial Organization "Astana Medical University" (AMU) focus on the study of epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases in adults at the present stage. More than 300 scientific works have been published, including 8 articles in journals indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, a monograph, 10 educational manuals, 2 innovative patents, and 1 certificate of entry in the state register of rights to objects protected by copyright.
Research Projects: Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of the drug Sausaline compared to Biltricide in the treatment of patients with opisthorchiasis. Methodology and software development for determining the characteristic acoustic cough pattern in COVID-19 patients. SOLIDARITY: International randomized clinical trial of drugs for treating COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. WHO project: Protocol for studying confirmed and probable SARS-CoV-2 cases and contacts in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2021, department staff conducted the first clinical studies in Kazakhstan on the clinical efficacy of antiviral drugs Remdesivir and Favipiravir for COVID-19. Based on the results, Remdesivir was included in the Clinical Protocol for the Diagnosis and Treatment of COVID-19 in Adults.
Clinical Activities:
The staff of the department provide extensive therapeutic and consultative support to practical healthcare both in Astana and throughout all regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan. To offer methodological and practical assistance, as well as to conduct comprehensive analyses of the current infectious pathology situation on-site, field visits to the regions are carried out as part of working groups. They also participate in medical air transport missions to provide intensive care to critically ill patients, and telemedicine consultations are conducted on the management and intensive therapy of infectious patients, including pregnant women, across all regions of the country. Department staff are members of working groups responsible for developing key regulatory documents for the Infectious Diseases Service, such as the "Standard for the Organization of Medical Care for Infectious Diseases in the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2019), the "Professional Standard for the Specialty of Infectious Diseases, including Pediatrics" (2021), among others. They are also developers and reviewers of clinical protocols for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases and members of the expert group for the registration of COVID-19 vaccines in Kazakhstan.
Educational and Upbringing Activities:Educational work at the department is continuously carried out during practical classes, in dormitories, and within supervised groups of the Faculty of General Medicine. The main topics of these activities include: "Healthy Lifestyle Without Drugs," "Healthy Lifestyle and Prevention of Viral Hepatitis B and C," "HIV Infection Prevention," and "Healthy Lifestyle Without Smoking." Great attention is paid to patriotic education of youth, with annual ceremonial events held to celebrate occasions such as "Kazakhstan Independence Day," "Victory Day," "President's Day," and others.
Achievements
Highly qualified staff of the department: The department includes professors, associate professors, and assistants with extensive experience in educational-methodological, scientific, and clinical activities.
In 2021, the Committee for Quality Assurance in Education and Science of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan awarded the academic title of "Professor" to the head of the department, Sholpan Adlgazievna Kulzhanova, and the academic title of "Associate Professor" to associate professors M.E. Konkaeva and Z.K. Smagulova.
From 2017 to 2021, eight articles were published in journals indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases.
For their significant contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 coronavirus infection, the department staff were awarded government honors, certificates, and letters of appreciation.
Contact information
8(747)054-38-81(WhatsApp) Коnkаеvа М.Е.
8(747)2276729 Bugakov A.A.**
