From 25^th till 28^th September of 2024 year Astana hosted International conference “Multidisciplinary approach in diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation of neurological diseases”. The event was the part of Global action plan of WHO on epilepsy and other neurological diseases.

The organizers of the event were the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “National center for children’s rehabilitation” and “Medical University of Astana”. The conference was attended by representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), international and Kazakhstani medical institutions, members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of state bodies, leading freelance specialists of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as invited experts from Israel, India, Spain, Italy, China, Turkey, France and other countries.

Sections included:

1. Interdisciplinary neurology (pain management, speech and motor disorders)
2. Epilepsy and paroxysmal disorders
3. Orphan, demyelinating and autoimmune diseases
4. Multidisciplinary approach in rehabilitation
5. Early intervention
6. Dietary therapy in rehabilitation
7. Rehabilitation of children with developmental disabilities (autism, PSD)
8. Social and pedagogical rehabilitation

Special attention was paid to the issues of sanatorium-resort treatment and medical rehabilitation. During the thematic sessions, the following key areas were considered:

• Health saving strategy in Kazakhstan and the role of the sanatorium-resort treatment industry in the health care system;
• Best international practices of sanatorium-resort treatment and medical rehabilitation, including exchange of experience with foreign partners;
• Natural healing resources and their use in rehabilitation: approaches to the study and methods of practical application.

On September 27, master classes with the participation of international experts were held on the basis of the “National center for children’s rehabilitation”. As part of the program, a practical course on psychomotor therapy was held, which was conducted by Francoise Giromini and Severin Bekier, representatives of the Higher Institute of Psychomotor Therapy (ISRP, France). A master class on traditional Chinese medicine was also organized with the participation of Dr. Jia Junling (PRC) and Dr. Sarah Jaslankyzy. Domestic experience was presented by Zhanna Kalieva (Kazakhstan), a certified behavioral analyst who conducted training for parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders.

As a result of the event, all participants and speakers received certificates. The adopted resolution was aimed to the further developing multidisciplinary rehabilitation in the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, the conference contributed to the strengthening of the professional community of specialists in the field of neurorehabilitation and the continuation of interdepartmental and international cooperation.