CUSSW Faculty Works to Improve Healthcare in Kazakhstan

Faculty members Ellen Lukens and Tazuko Shibusawa, both Associate Professors of Professional Practice, along with Dr. Hell Thorning, PI, and CUSSW Research Scientist Dr. Lin Fang (Charles Wang Health Center) have been working together to improve the public healthcare system in Kazakhstan. That country's declaration of independence from Russia in 1991 had a disastrous effect on healthcare, and the CUSSW team is helping the Kazakhs turn their situation around.

This project is the latest in a series of CUSSW efforts made over the past five years providing technical assistance in countries previously dependent upon the Soviet socialist system. Work thus far has focused on research, education and primary care provision for HIV/AIDS patients.

CUSSW has collaborated with the American International Health Alliance to establish Kazakhstan's first social work training center and develop a culturally appropriate curriculum to improve the network of care for Kazakh people. Last July, Lukens, Shibusawa, Thorning and Fang traveled to Astana, Kazakhstan, to participate in a "Train the Trainer" workshop for staff members at the newly established social work facility. Then, in September, the Kazakh participants made a one-week follow-up visit to their colleagues at CUSSW.

In addition to this overseas training, CUSSW has hosted Central Asian graduate students, and has plans to host faculty from Central Asian universities. Students from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan -- as well as Russia -- have studied at CUSSW since 2001. Social work education is non-existent in many of these countries.

Beginning in spring 2006, three members of the faculties of Central Asian universities will be in residence at CUSSW for three semesters. The educational immersion program in which they will participate will focus upon curriculum development and instruction in pedagogical methods.