Next-Level Healthcare: How Reforms Are Transforming the Lives of Kazakhs

Kazakhstan's healthcare revolution cuts wait times and boosts life expectancy

When citizens' health becomes the cornerstone of national policy.

Kazakhstan's healthcare system is undergoing sweeping reforms across all areas—from funding and pharmaceutical provision to digitalization and infrastructure modernization. In an interview with Kazinform, Health Minister Akmural Alnazarova discusses the changes patients are already experiencing and how the sector will continue to evolve.

Kazinform: Akmural Sharipbayevna, at your recent meeting with the Head of State, you reported on the state of the healthcare system. What key results can you highlight today?

Our top priority is the longevity and quality of life of our people. And today, we are seeing tangible progress. According to the UN, Kazakhstan now leads Central Asia in life expectancy, reaching a historic high of 75.4 years. Additionally, we were the first in the region to meet the WHO's target ahead of schedule—reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 25%.

We have also made significant strides in the most critical areas. Since 2022, maternal mortality has dropped by 35%, and infant mortality has fallen by 22%, reaching an all-time low. UNICEF has recognized Kazakhstan as the regional leader in reducing newborn mortality.

But the real impact goes beyond statistics. People are beginning to feel the changes firsthand—healthcare is becoming more accessible, especially in rural areas. Over the past few years, we have carried out large-scale upgrades to medical infrastructure nationwide. While more than 1,250 healthcare facilities have been built over seven years, over 800 of them have been commissioned in just the last three years. Special attention has been given to rural areas: 655 facilities were constructed under the Head of State's national initiative to modernize rural healthcare.

A particularly meaningful achievement is that over 200 villages, which previously had no medical facilities at all, now have access to healthcare. Nearly one million rural residents can now receive medical care close to home. This has allowed us, for the first time in many years, to significantly reduce the wear and tear on our medical infrastructure.

At the same time, we are addressing staffing challenges. Young specialists are moving to the regions, where they receive relocation bonuses of up to 8.5 million tenge, housing support, and preferential loans. This has helped reduce the shortage of rural doctors by roughly one-third.

Kazinform: One of the most pressing issues is the accessibility of medical care. What has changed for patients?

For people, what matters most is not just the quality of treatment but also the ability to see a doctor quickly. That is why we have focused on reducing wait times and simplifying the patient journey.

Expanded Screenings and Strengthened Primary Care: Key Reforms in Kazakhstan's Healthcare System

Medical screenings have been expanded—now available to patients up to age 76—and a new stroke risk assessment has been introduced. Cancer screenings have also been included in the guaranteed benefits package, extending coverage to an additional 300,000 people.

To improve access to care, we have increased appointment times, introduced online scheduling, and optimized patient referral routes. As a result, wait times for doctor visits have been cut from two weeks to just two or three days.

The role of nurses has been significantly enhanced. Today, they can conduct independent consultations, prescribe medications, and coordinate patient monitoring. This has increased primary care coverage from 60% to 80%.

Additionally, the primary care payment system has been overhauled—remuneration is now directly tied to outcomes, including preventive care, early diagnosis, and reduced complications. This shift fundamentally transforms how outpatient clinics operate.

KP: Drug affordability and access remain hotly debated in society. What changes are being made in this area?

Over the past year, we have implemented one of the most complex yet necessary reforms: a complete overhaul of drug pricing. The new mechanism for regulating maximum prices now covers nearly 5,000 essential medications, including antivirals, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, and gastrointestinal treatments.

This system curbs unjustified price hikes, ensures market transparency, and fosters fair competition—but most importantly, it reduces the financial burden on patients. Thanks to price caps, medications procured under the state-guaranteed benefits package and compulsory health insurance have become 15% cheaper on average, while retail pharmacy prices have dropped by up to 26%, delivering substantial savings for both the state and citizens.

A second key initiative is broadening access to international pharmaceutical markets. Within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), registration terms were extended for 5,129 drugs, including 782 Kazakh-made medications, preventing supply disruptions and stabilizing the domestic market.

Furthermore, starting in 2026, we will simplify access to cutting-edge treatments for Kazakhstani patients. To accelerate this, we have approved fast-track registration for drugs produced in countries with stringent pharmaceutical regulations—the United States, the European Union, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

The third key priority is reforming the public drug procurement system. Last year, we introduced major changes to the rules governing the purchase of medicines and medical devices, significantly improving the efficiency of the Unified Distributor. Direct procurement from manufacturers has tripled, eliminating middlemen and reducing drug costs. Procurement through UN agencies—such as UNDP, UNICEF, and the global STOP-TB Partnership—has increased by 87%. Additionally, long-term contracts with Kazakh producers have grown by 43%, supporting the development of the national pharmaceutical industry.

These reforms have already delivered tangible financial results. The 2025 procurement campaign saved a record 70.5 billion tenge in budget funds, which were reallocated to provide additional medications for patients with cancer and chronic diseases.

Since early 2026, drug procurement savings have reached 47 billion tenge, expanding public access to essential medicines. At the same time, we have updated and optimized the list of outpatient drug coverage to make it more targeted, particularly for patients with chronic conditions.

KP: Over the past two years, Kazakhstan has signed agreements with major investors to open pharmaceutical plants. How does this impact the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry?

This is directly tied to the country's drug security. Over two years, investment in the sector has grown 2.3-fold, while exports have nearly doubled. The market has reached 1.28 trillion tenge, and domestic drug production has increased by 37%.

Investment agreements worth 316 billion tenge have been signed to produce over 400 types of medications, including treatments for cancer, diabetes, and other socially significant diseases.

Today, Kazakhstan is also becoming a regional hub for pharmaceutical development. Investment in the sector has more than doubled in recent years, and localization of drug production is advancing—about 40% of all pharmaceutical products are now manufactured domestically.

Overall, these reforms are already yielding measurable results. Our top priority is the patient—every Kazakh citizen must receive safe, effective, and timely medical care. This remains the focus of all our future efforts.

This means one simple thing: medications are becoming more accessible, supplies are growing more stable, and the system is becoming less dependent on external factors. Another key achievement has been international recognition of the national pharmaceutical regulatory system. According to the WHO, Kazakhstan has attained Maturity Level 3 for its regulatory framework—a benchmark confirming compliance with global standards. Only 36 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, and most European Union member states, have reached this level.