The Global Health Research Center of Central Asia (GHRCCA) integrates a multidisciplinary team of faculty, scientists, researchers, and students committed to advancing solutions to health and social issues in Central Asia and the surrounding region. In 2007, Columbia University established GHRCCA, Inc. with a branch office in Almaty, Kazakhstan. In 2010, the work of Wellspring NGO in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia was incorporated into the scope of the Center. In 2011, a local NGO was established in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. The Center also has Regional Representatives in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

The Global Health Research Center of Central Asia (GHRCCA) is a regional
interdisciplinary research center on global health, dedicated to strengthening Central
Asia’s ability to support rigorous research of HIV and co-occurring epidemics.

Established in 2007, the GHRCCA focuses on emerging global health problems such as
HIV, HCV, TB, and other infectious diseases in Central Asia. GHRCCA’s main Central
Asian office is in Almaty, Kazakhstan with satellite research offices in other Central
Asian Republics. GHRCCA aims to develop and advance evidence-based, sustainable
solutions to emerging public health and social issues such as the HIV epidemic and
widespread drug use affecting communities in Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region.
The Center uses rigorous social science and biomedical research, advances educational
opportunities, and helps implement innovative public health policy solutions. This
multidisciplinary center creates crosscutting partnerships with governments, universities,
business, and nongovernmental organizations in Kazakhstan, the region and worldwide to
achieve its mission.

The Center has built a strong infrastructure (well-trained researchers and superb media
and technology systems) to allow for effective communication and shared data between
the research teams in Central Asia and NYC. The GHRCCA office in Almaty includes
a Director, Deputy Director, a Computer Lab Manager, and a part-time technician who
provides technical assistance with other audio-visual technology and data management.
In addition to staff, the Almaty office has a Community Collaborative Board and a
number of faculty affiliates from Columbia University and universities in Kazakhstan,
several pre- and post-doctorate students, and local and International NGO collaborators.
The GHRCAA has also two clinical spaces in Almaty, which are designed as a
“community space” rather than as an academic/higher education institution. Each of the
community spaces supports a study and contains 2 assessment rooms that are equipped
to conduct the audio computer assisted structured interview (ACASI) assessments; a bio-
specimen laboratory which is equipped to process, store and ship specimens; 2 private
offices where the face-to-face interviews and pre-test and post-test HIV/STI counseling
are conducted; and 2 intervention rooms.