VII International Congress of Turkic World Countries on Multiple Sclerosis

The VII International Congress of Turkic World Countries on Multiple Sclerosis, held in Almaty from October 30 to November 1, 2025, has successfully concluded its work. The event brought together leading specialists, scientists, and representatives of patient organizations from Turkic-speaking countries.

The main goal of the Congress was to strengthen international cooperation in the study, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with multiple sclerosis, as well as to promote the exchange of experience among specialists from different countries.

The main initiators and organizers of the now traditional International Congress of Turkic World Countries on Multiple Sclerosis were the Co-Chairs of the Congress — Prof. Dr. Şeref Demirkaya, Prof. Dr. Hüsnü Efendi, President of the Association of Neurologists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor Nurguzhayev E.S., Head of the Department of Nervous Diseases of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) Turuspekova S.T., and the Scientific Secretary of the Congress, Director of the Eurasian Center for Health and Social Sciences at the University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey — Dr. Aynur Feyzioglu.

The opening ceremony featured welcoming speeches by Advisor to the Minister of Health of Kazakhstan V.V. Koikov, Head of the Department for Maternal and Child Health Protection of Almaty Health Administration Zh.K. Akhmetova, Vice-Rector of Asfendiyarov KazNMU Zh.A. Kalmatayeva, and Dean of the SGM-2 Faculty G.A. Shopaeva. In their addresses, they emphasized the importance of strengthening scientific cooperation, exchanging experience, and implementing modern approaches in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis.

The Congress was attended by representatives from Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Bashkortostan, as well as guests from Moldova and the Russian Federation. The program included plenary sessions devoted to current issues in neurology and multidisciplinary approaches to the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Kazakhstan was represented by the country’s leading specialists, particularly the team from the Department of Nervous Diseases of Asfendiyarov KazNMU, including Head of Department and Chief Neurologist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan Turuuspekova S.T., Professor and President of the Association of Neurologists Nurguzhayev E.S., Associate Professors Nurzhanova R.B., Almakhanova K.K., Mukhambetova G.A., Atantayeva E.B., and Assistant Professor Tsoy R.T.

The Kazakhstani delegation also included specialists from various regions of the country: Head of the Department of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Psychology at the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy and Chief Freelance Neurologist of the Turkistan Region Health Department Zharkynbekova N.A.; Head of the Department of Neurology at the Medical University “Astana” Eszhanova L.E.; Head of the Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Diseases and Chief Freelance Neurologist of Astana City Syzdykova B.R.; Head of the Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Diseases of the Karaganda Regional Clinical Hospital Evstafyeva N.A.; Head of the Department of Neurology at M. Ospanov West Kazakhstan Medical University (Aktobe) Khamidulla A.A.; Head of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Asfendiyarov KazNMU Izbasarova A.Sh.; and Chief Freelance Rehabilitation Specialist of the Almaty Health Department Seydanova A.B.; Professor of the University Medical Center, MD, neurologist Kuanova L.B.

Special attention during the forum was given to issues of early diagnosis, innovative therapy methods, as well as rehabilitation and improving the quality of life of patients. New research findings and clinical observations were presented, and prospects for developing joint scientific projects were discussed.

For the first time, Artificial Intelligence technologies were used at the Congress to provide simultaneous translation of speakers’ reports into Turkish and Russian. Participants could listen to translations via a mobile application or read live subtitles on screen during online sessions. This innovation ensured a high level of interactivity and accessibility for all participants — approximately 3,000 in total.

The VII International Congress of Turkic World Countries on Multiple Sclerosis became a remarkable example of international cooperation, innovative knowledge exchange, and the integration of modern technologies into medical practice.

During the meeting of the Organizing Committee of the Turkic World Congress on Multiple Sclerosis, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, a decision was made to host the next, 8th Congress in Turkey.

See you at the next Congress in Istanbul!