From 3 to 13 August 2026, a regional OSCE training course on medical support for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations was conducted at the Peace Operations Centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Almaty.
The course was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe (POiD) in partnership with the Centre for Arms Control and Inspection Support of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The course aimed to enhance the professional capacity of military medical personnel from Central Asian countries while strengthening the practical skills and knowledge required to provide effective medical support and ensure a timely response during EOD operations.
A total of 14 medical specialists, including three women and 11 men from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, took part in the training. The programme combined theoretical instruction with practical exercises and covered a wide range of topics, including emergency medical care for blast-related injuries, casualty triage, medical evacuation planning and procedures, as well as international standards and good practices in the field of humanitarian mine action.
In addition to the technical aspects of medical support, participants had an opportunity to exchange professional experience, discuss good practices and establish new professional contacts. Such inter-agency and international co-operation are essential for enhancing the effectiveness of responses to emergencies involving explosive ordnance.
"The OSCE regional medical course provided valuable practical experience in the field of medical support for Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations. The opportunity to exchange experience with international colleagues and learn about modern approaches to medical care was particularly useful. The knowledge and skills gained during the course will be applied in preparing the peacekeeping contingent of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan for participation in United Nations missions," said Mikhail Vydrin, course participant and Head of the Medical Service of the Peace Operations Centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The successful completion of the training course marks an important step towards strengthening regional co-operation and enhancing capacity in the field of medical support for EOD operations. It also reflects the commitment of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe and the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan in supporting peace and security, as well as promoting humanitarian co-operation and humanitarian assistance in the region.
"The regional medical course held in Kazakhstan provided an important platform for professional exchange and strengthened co-operation among specialists from Central Asian countries. For the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan, developing practical competencies in medical support for Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations is of particular importance, as a high level of medical preparedness is an essential component of the safety and effectiveness of such operation." said Major Bakber Baikumbaev, Officer of the Department of Arms Control and the Inspection Support Centre of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
