Project Relevance
Echinococcosis and alveococcosis remain among the most significant medical, social, and epidemiological challenges in the Kyrgyz Republic and Central Asia. Geographic, climatic, socio-economic, and migration-related factors contribute to the persistence and spread of these zoonotic diseases.
The healthcare system continues to face fragmented epidemiological data, limited access to analytical information, and insufficient use of digital monitoring tools. The lack of an integrated platform combining medical, statistical, and geospatial data hinders timely epidemiological assessment and evidence-based decision-making.
In the context of healthcare digitalization and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, the introduction of modern information systems for monitoring echinococcosis and alveococcosis is particularly relevant. The PDmon project addresses these challenges through a scientifically grounded, technologically advanced, and practice-oriented approach to epidemiological surveillance.
Project Objective
The objective of the international project “Parasitic Disease Monitoring – PDmon” is to develop and implement a digital platform for comprehensive monitoring of parasitic diseases, enabling the collection, analysis, visualization, and interpretation of epidemiological data to support healthcare decision-making, preventive strategies, and the strengthening of epidemiological security in Kyrgyzstan and the region.
Project Description
The PDmon project is implemented from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 with the support of Uninet and Eurasia-Pacific Uninet (EPU). The project aims to advance digital health, epidemiological surveillance, and international academic cooperation.
The project outcomes are intended for practical application in healthcare management and scientific research.
Planned activities include:
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assessment of stakeholder needs regarding data access and user interfaces;
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analysis of existing data structures and development of an interactive analytical model;
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design of a web-services architecture for access to regional parasitic disease statistics;
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development of interactive dashboards supporting analytical filtering and decision-making;
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focus-group consultations and refinement of the final PDmon platform.
Partners
National partners (Kyrgyzstan):
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I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy — project initiator and medical expert partner;
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Kyrgyz State Technical University — partner for digital and technical solutions.
International partners:
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**Paris Lodron University Salzburg (PLUS), Austria;
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Professor Josef Strobl, GIS expert;
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Project coordinators: Ainura Bolotaalieva, Ainura Nazarkulova.
Project News and Key Milestones
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30 June 2025 — A PDmon kick-off online meeting was held, defining project objectives, tasks, and expected outcomes.
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1 July 2025 — The PDmon project was officially approved and selected within an international funding program.
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25 August 2025 — A working meeting was held in Bishkek with Professor Josef Strobl (PLUS, Austria) and representatives of KSMA, focusing on the practical implementation of the project.
Scientific and Practical Orientation
The project focuses on cystic and alveolar echinococcosis as one of the most severe parasitic threats to public health in Kyrgyzstan.
The PDmon project includes:
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establishment of a unified national regionalized database;
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development of an interactive monitoring dashboard;
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visualization of temporal and spatial data;
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decision-support tools for healthcare authorities.
The platform is based on ArcGIS Online cloud services.
International Capacity Building and Professional Development
As part of the EPU Project “Parasitic Disease Monitoring (PDmon)”, an international training workshop was held from 16 to 23 June 2026 at the Z_GIS Geoinformatics Laboratory, Department of Geoinformatics, Paris Lodron University Salzburg (Austria). The workshop was designed to strengthen professional competencies in geoinformation technologies, digital epidemiological surveillance, spatial data analysis, and modern approaches to public health monitoring.
The workshop was attended by faculty members and students of the I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy:
- Kursanbek Raimkulov;
- Zhainagul Omorova;
- Zhumagul Usubalieva;
- Sezim Suyunbekova;
- Aizhamal Myrzalieva;
- Bermet Arstanbekova.
The educational programme was designed to provide participants with practical knowledge of modern digital technologies used in the development of geoinformation systems for epidemiological monitoring and analysis. During the training, participants became familiar with contemporary methodological approaches and practical tools applied in the field of digital public health. In addition, they discussed the future development of the PDmon project and opportunities for expanding international scientific and academic cooperation.
The training programme included the following thematic modules:
- introduction to the activities of the IDEAS Laboratory;
- presentation of the EPU project and discussion of its future development prospects;
- introduction to the ArcGIS Survey123 platform;
- practical training on organizing and collecting field data using ArcGIS Survey123;
- application of StoryMaps technology for geographic storytelling (Map Storytelling);
- introduction to the "Health Detectives" concept as an innovative approach to epidemiological data analysis;
- methods for visualizing spatial information and developing interactive maps and analytical dashboards;
- demonstration of StoryMaps capabilities through the digital representation of the City of Salzburg.
Upon successful completion of the programme, all participants were awarded international certificates confirming the successful completion of the training programme and the acquisition of practical competencies in geoinformation technologies, digital epidemiological monitoring, and spatial data analysis.
Outcomes and Significance
The organization of this international training workshop and the active participation of representatives of the I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy marked an important milestone in strengthening the Academy's international cooperation. Participation in the programme contributed to enhancing the international visibility and academic reputation of KSMA within the European Higher Education and Research Area, expanding partnerships with leading foreign universities and research institutions, and creating favorable conditions for future participation in international educational, scientific, and innovation projects.
The knowledge, practical skills, and international experience acquired during the training will be applied to the further development of the national digital PDmon platform for monitoring parasitic diseases, the improvement of epidemiological surveillance systems, the development of interactive geospatial maps and analytical dashboards, and the training of highly qualified specialists in digital epidemiology, geomedicine, spatial data analysis, and public health.
The implementation of such international educational initiatives facilitates the introduction of advanced international practices into the healthcare system of the Kyrgyz Republic while strengthening the scientific, educational, and innovation capacity of the I.K. Akhunbaev Kyrgyz State Medical Academy.
Project Impact
This international training initiative represents an important contribution to the sustainable development of digital public health in Kyrgyzstan and demonstrates the value of international academic cooperation in addressing contemporary public health challenges through innovative geospatial technologies and evidence-based epidemiological monitoring.
KSMA: Outcomes of the PDmon Project and Prospects for New Research in GIS Mapping
On 27 August 2026, a working meeting was held at KSMA between the project participants and Professor J. Strobl, a specialist from the Department of Geoinformatics at the University of Salzburg (PLUS), together with A. Nazarkulova.
The meeting was attended by leading researchers and faculty members of the Academy, including Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor O.T. Kuttubaev; Professor V.S. Toigombaeva; Associate Professor K.M. Raimkulov; Candidate of Medical Sciences J.M. Usubalieva; and Associate Professor Zh. Omurbekova.
Outcomes of the PDmon Project
Within the framework of the partnership through the Austrian–Central Asian Centre for Geoinformatics, the parties reviewed the outcomes of their first joint project, “Monitoring of Parasitic Diseases – PDmon.”
The participants conducted a detailed analysis of the project’s key achievements, strengths, and areas requiring further improvement. They also discussed the practical significance of the results obtained and explored opportunities for further strengthening their joint activities.
Prospects for a New Project on GIS Mapping of Tick-Borne Infections
The central topic of the discussion was the launch of a new large-scale project entitled “GIS Mapping and Risk Assessment of Tick-Borne Infections in the Kyrgyz Republic (Tick-Borne Encephalitis, Rickettsiosis, Borreliosis and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever).”
Relevance of the Issue in the Kyrgyz Republic
Increasing disease burden: Tick-borne zoonotic infections represent a growing threat to public health due to their natural focal nature and the expansion of vector habitats.
Impact of climate change: Changes in climatic conditions directly affect tick biology, contributing to increased seasonal activity, wider geographical distribution, and greater intensity of pathogen circulation.
Epidemiological statistics: Approximately 1,000 people in the country seek medical assistance annually following tick bites. In particular, in 2025, a total of 713 medical consultations were registered, including 17 cases of North Asian tick-borne rickettsiosis and 2 cases of Lyme borreliosis.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the participants expressed their mutual interest in developing long-term international cooperation between KSMA and the University of Salzburg, as well as in continuing advanced research activities at the intersection of epidemiology and modern geoinformation technologies.