Enhancing HealthCooperation with Turkic States and the World Health Organization (WHO) is the Focus for Kazakhstan
TURKISH CAPITAL - Kazakh Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov hosted a health summit on April 8 with the Ministers of Health from the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) and WHO Regional Director for Europe, Hans Kluge. Kazakhstan's Minister of Health, Akmaral Alnazarova, presented a report detailing the outcomes of the fifth meeting of OTS Health Ministers.
Kazakhstan is in the midst of a sweeping healthcare overhaul, involving the construction of new facilities, the establishment of multidisciplinary clinics, and the modernization of medical equipment. Photo credit: Prime Minister's press service.
The summit focused on ways to strengthen Kazakhstan's engagement with the OTS, including the exchange of medical expertise and the sharing of cutting-edge technologies. Discussions also touched upon enhancing healthcare in Kazakhstan and its partner countries. The participants stressed the importance of a coordinated response from the OTS nations to tackle global health issues, as reported by the Prime Minister's press service.
Bektenov underscored the significance of teamwork and robust partnerships to face colossal health threats. He reiterated Kazakhstan's ongoing healthcare revamp, which includes new infrastructure, multidisciplinary clinics, and updated medical equipment. Kazakhstan is also placing a strong emphasis on bolstering its pharmaceutical sector.
“WHO plays a crucial role in our endeavors. The fruit of joint tenacious work, including technical and expert support, resulted in a reduction of respiratory, circulatory system diseases, and mortality," Bektenov asserted, expressing Kazakhstan's willingness to share its learnings with other OTS countries.
Health officials from partner countries applauded Kazakhstan's advancements in healthcare services. The primary focus for the next two years centers around developing primary healthcare, emergency care, tuberculosis eradication, and pharmaceutical cooperation, especially with Hungary's relevant authorities. The importance of improving water hygiene was also emphasized.
WHO Collaboration
Work with the WHO is carried out under the implementation of two-year cooperation agreements between the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Kazakh Ministry of Health. In 2024-2025, major areas of cooperation revolve around universal health service coverage, emergency preparedness, combating non-communicable diseases, and implementing the One Health approach.
Kluge praised Kazakhstan's efforts to decrease premature mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases via proactive measures. He highlighted that Kazakhstan is part of an exclusive group of just ten countries worldwide to reduce premature deaths from diseases like cardiovascular disease and cancer.
"The measures Kazakhstan is undertaking in the realm of prevention have had a profound impact: vaping has been outlawed, stringent alcohol policies are in effect, and a vaccination program against the human papillomavirus is underway. Today we are conversing about the second phase of our cooperation, which will include the establishment of the Academy of Primary Health Care (PHC), preparing young professionals from Kazakhstan to become leaders in the modern system of providing PHC level services," said Kluge.
Kazakhstan's Healthcare Initiatives and Investments
Kazakhstan is championing the principles of accessible and high-quality primary care. Key initiatives include advanced nursing practices, early detection screenings for cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and the founding of competence centers for cardiology, oncology, and endocrinology.
By 2024, investments in Kazakhstan's healthcare sector rose by 8.4%, amounting to approximately $920 million, with a considerable portion originating from private investors. Investment in the pharmaceutical industry nearly doubled to $91.3 million. The share of domestically produced pharmaceuticals is projected to reach 50% local production by 2029.
Over the past five years, Kazakhstan has launched 784 new medical facilities, including 467 primary healthcare centers, as part of the National Project for Rural Healthcare Modernization. Life expectancy at birth has increased by nearly 3.5 years, now standing at 75 years.
Upon the conclusion of the meeting, officials signed a Joint Declaration on health matters, a Joint Action Plan for healthcare, and several memorandums of cooperation in personnel training and biological safety.
On April 7, health ministers of the OTS signed a memorandum turning Kazakhstan’s National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine into a collaborative platform.
References:[1] Nikoleti, S. (2022). Kazakhstan's National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine rebrands to WHO Collaborating Center for Emergency and Trauma Care. The Astana Times.[2] TSteam.kz. (2021). Commission presents new initiatives for healthcare system development.[3] Inform.kz. (2023). Fund allocated for construction of outpatient clinic in Volchanka village.[4] WHO.int. (2020). To end TB and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, serve the interests of all populations.[5] Kazinform.kz. (2023). Kazakhstan presents new initiatives at 6th OTS Health Ministers Meeting.
- Kazakhstan, in its healthcare overhaul, is working to increase local production of pharmaceuticals, with the goal of reaching 50% domestic production by 2029.
- The summit held in Kazakhstan emphasized the importance of sharing medical expertise and cutting-edge technologies among the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) nations for enhancing healthcare.
- WHO's collaboration with Kazakhstan focuses on universal health service coverage, emergency preparedness, combating non-communicable diseases, and implementing the One Health approach from 2024-2025.
- Kazakhstan is implementing a vaccination program against papillomavirus as part of its efforts to improve health and wellness, particularly in the prevention of various medical conditions.
