Kazakhstan Joins ADI’s International Training Programme for Emerging Dementia Associations
London – Almaty, From April 28 to 30, 2025, a three-day training event, Alzheimer University (AU), was held in London. The programme was organized by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) for new associations participating in the Membership Development Programme (MDP). The event welcomed representatives from Aruba, Hungary, Lesotho, Switzerland, Vietnam, and, for the first time in history, Kazakhstan.
During the programme, participants engaged in a series of intensive workshops covering essential aspects of building and strengthening dementia associations—from developing public image and government relations to fundraising strategies and effective communications. Training was conducted with the involvement of ADI’s CEO Paola Barbarino, Deputy CEO Chris Lynch, Director of Development Nikki Baylis, and other international experts.
Kazakhstan’s participation marked a significant milestone—its official accession to Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) as the first and only member from Central Asia. This historic achievement was made possible through the efforts of national experts in neurology, geriatrics, and public health, particularly faculty members from the Department of Neurology at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University—Assistant Professor, PhD Radmila Tsoy Timsonovna, and Assistant Nurmukhamed Mamashayev Karimzhanovich—with the support of Professor Robert Cumming and Anne Cumming of the School of Public Health, University of Sydney, as well as the Head of Department, MD, and Chief Freelance Neurologist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, S.T. Turuspekova.
As part of integration into the global movement and enhancement of national capacity, the Kazakhstan Alzheimer & Dementia Alliance (KA&DA) was established—the country’s first national association focused on supporting people living with dementia and their families, as well as promoting clinical, educational, and advocacy initiatives. KA&DA’s mission is to implement best international practices into Kazakhstan’s healthcare system, develop a support network, and promote active aging policies.
Since January 2025, the Kazakh team has been participating in online modules of Alzheimer University, and on April 17, 2025, Dr. Radmila Tsoy successfully completed one of the programme’s core components—the Fundraising & Grant Management Module—demonstrating her high professional competence and readiness to implement sustainable support mechanisms for the association.
Kazakhstan’s entry into ADI opens new horizons: participation in international projects, access to educational resources, knowledge exchange with 105 countries, and the development of a national dementia strategy based on world-leading standards.
The creation of KA&DA and Kazakhstan’s integration into the global ADI network is not merely recognition—it is a new stage in the development of the national healthcare system, the strengthening of international collaboration, and the improvement of quality of life for people living with dementia.
