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Healthcare

Vaccine Refusals Nearly Quadruple in Kazakhstan Over Eight Years

The number of vaccine refusals in Kazakhstan has surged nearly fourfold over the past eight years, according to Sarkhat Beisenova, Chair of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Committee at the Ministry of Health. Speaking at a recent briefing, Beisenova said the rise in vaccine hesitancy reflects a broader global trend that has also taken hold in Kazakhstan. “If we compare with 2017, the number of refusals has increased by a factor of 3.8. At that time, around 5,300 individuals declined vaccination; this year, nearly 20,000 have already been registered. The increase is evident,” she said. Beisenova noted that refusals span all types of vaccinations, except for flu shots, which, she said, no one has refused this year. As part of the country’s guaranteed volume of free medical care, the government purchased 2.1 million doses of the Grippol+ influenza vaccine, enough to cover about 11% of Kazakhstan’s 20.5 million population. So far, 1.9 million people, or 9.4% of the population, have been vaccinated. Free flu vaccination is offered to vulnerable groups, including healthcare workers, children with chronic illnesses, orphans, seniors over 65, people with disabilities, military personnel, pregnant women, and patients with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions. “The World Health Organization forecasts that three strains of influenza, A (H1N1), A (H3N2), and B, will be dominant this season. All are included in the vaccine, which offers protection against severe forms of the disease,” Beisenova emphasized. Since the start of the flu season, Kazakhstan has recorded 84 cases of COVID-19, alongside 150,600 cases of acute respiratory viral infection (ARVI) between October 30 and November 5. Since the beginning of autumn, the total has reached 1.2 million ARVI cases. Laboratories have also confirmed 304 cases of influenza A (H3N2), with 173 occurring in children under the age of 14. This year, the virus began circulating earlier than usual: the first cases appeared in early October, whereas last year’s outbreak began in November. According to Beisenova, this year’s strain is not new but consistent with typical seasonal influenza patterns. Annually, Kazakhstan registers up to 4 million ARVI cases and around 2,000 cases of influenza, the Ministry of Health reported. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, this year Kazakhstani citizens have also faced medicine shortages and a sharp rise in drug prices.

Forced Labor

Medical Staff in Turkmenistan Resign En Masse Over Extortion to Avoid Picking Cotton

Hospitals and clinics in the Turkmen city of Turkmenabat are facing a growing staffing crisis as doctors and nurses resign en masse in protest over extortionate cash demands, particularly those tied to the annual cotton harvest. Efforts by local authorities to ease the burden have so far proven ineffective. According to sources cited by Chronicles of Turkmenistan, three family nurses recently resigned from Turkmenabat City Clinic No. 2, leaving just 11 nursing staff at the facility. Their responsibilities have since been redistributed among remaining colleagues, nearly doubling individual workloads, while salaries have only risen by 30%. The added pressure has led many remaining staff to consider resigning as well. Similar developments are unfolding at other clinics across the city. One doctor and two nurses have left Polyclinic No. 5, while multiple specialists have exited Polyclinics No. 3 and No. 4. The primary cause, according to local healthcare workers, is systematic extortion, most notably mandatory contributions for cotton harvesting. In September, Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health reportedly issued a directive requiring medical personnel to participate in the cotton campaign. Employees in the Lebap region were assigned daily quotas to pick 45 kilograms of cotton. At both the new multidisciplinary hospital and the infectious diseases hospital in Turkmenabat, medical staff have been dispatched to the fields immediately after completing night shifts. Those unwilling or unable to comply must pay for a substitute picker, at a rate of 50 manats (approximately $14.30) per day. In practice, the burden of physical labor during this period often falls on staff nearing retirement age. One doctor at the infectious diseases hospital revealed that up to two-thirds of some employees’ monthly salaries are spent hiring replacement pickers during the cotton season. “Not everyone can work in the fields after a full shift, but everyone is expected to pay. That’s why many simply quit,” he said. In an attempt to stem the exodus, clinic administrators reduced the daily contribution for hiring workers from 50 to 30 manats (around $8.50) in mid-October. However, sources told Chronicles of Turkmenistan that the adjustment has done little to stop the resignations. Chief physicians have been trying to rehire former employees and bring retirees back into service, but interest remains low. As workloads increase and staff numbers dwindle, the quality of medical care continues to deteriorate.

Science

First Uzbek Genome Project Reveals High Rate of Hereditary Mutations

Uzbek scientists have completed the country’s first full-scale human genome study, marking a significant milestone in both national science and global genomics. Conducted by researchers at the Center for Advanced Technologies, the study identified dozens of previously undocumented genetic mutations unique to the Uzbek population. The findings have been submitted to international genomic databases and signal Uzbekistan’s growing contribution to global biomedical research. The study revealed that 50% of children examined carried a hereditary mutation, and 86% were carriers of at least one defective gene, roughly double the global average. Experts linked the elevated rate to consanguineous marriages, which occur in up to a quarter of all unions in certain regions. Professor Shakhlo Turdikulova, Director of the Center for Advanced Technologies and head of the “1,000 Genomes of Uzbekistan” project, emphasized the significance of the findings. “For the first time, we have a clear picture of the genetic makeup of our people,” she said. “If most children carry hidden hereditary mutations, we cannot reverse this trend without a system of genetic counseling and preventive screening. That is why implementing premarital genetic testing programs is essential.” Beyond rare inherited conditions, the study found strong correlations between genetic mutations and common diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cancer. More than half of the participants received precise genetic diagnoses, allowing physicians to tailor treatments more effectively. Roughly one-third of the mutations identified were previously unknown to global science. The “1,000 Genomes of Uzbekistan” project is part of a broader initiative to establish a national biobank and genetic map. Its goals include advancing personalized medicine, supporting pharmaceutical development, and enabling early disease detection. The Center for Advanced Technologies, which co-developed the ZF-UZ-VAC 2001 vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to solidify Uzbekistan’s role as a regional leader in biotechnology and genetic science. Researchers believe the project’s results will help shape nationwide preventive healthcare strategies and improve the health outlook for future generations.

Healthcare

Kazakh Surgeons Use MAKO Robotic System in Tashkent for the First Time

Kazakh surgeons have performed groundbreaking joint replacement procedures in Uzbekistan's capital Tashkent using the MAKO robotic system, an advanced technology in orthopedic surgery. The operations were a centerpiece of the event 'Days of Kazakh Medicine in Uzbekistan'. A surgical team led by traumatologist-orthopedist Timur Baidalin, head of the endoprosthetics department at the Batpenov National Scientific Center for Orthopedics and Traumatology, successfully conducted two joint replacements, one knee and one hip, using the MAKO robotic assistant. The system enables surgeons to plan and execute procedures with exceptional precision and reduced risk of complications. Developed by the U.S. based company Stryker, the MAKO system functions as an intelligent surgical assistant using 3D modeling technology. It creates a virtual replica of the patient’s joint, allowing the surgical team to pre-calculate the optimal implant angle, depth, and trajectory. During the procedure, the surgeon guides the MAKO manipulator, which operates with micromillimeter accuracy. This significantly lowers the risk of tissue damage and extends the lifespan of the implanted prosthesis. “The main advantage of MAKO is the ability to combine the surgeon’s experience with machine precision. This sets a new standard in endoprosthetics,” said Baidalin. For Uzbek specialists, the event served as a hands-on masterclass. In addition to observing the procedures, local doctors operated the system under the supervision of the Kazakh team. “We’ve been anticipating this technology for a long time. Today, we not only saw it in action but experienced the difference. This is a milestone for Uzbek orthopedics, and we’re grateful to our Kazakh colleagues for the opportunity to gain this experience,” said Odil Valiev, head of the adult orthopedics department at Uzbekistan’s Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics. This collaboration follows another recent highlight: in spring 2025, Kazakh specialists from UMC, led by cardiac surgeon Yuri Pii, presented the ALEM device at EXPO 2025 in Osaka. The technology enables the long-term preservation of donor organs and represents another significant advance in regional medical innovation.

Healthcare

Kazakhstan Emerges as Regional Leader in Medical Tourism

Kazakhstan has taken the lead in the post-Soviet space in terms of the rapid development of medical tourism, surpassing its closest regional competitors, according to Kristina Krivets, President of the Kazakhstan Medical Tourism Association. Rapid Growth in Patient Numbers The sector has experienced explosive growth in recent years. In 2022, when the association was first established, just 1,280 medical tourists were recorded. By 2023, that figure had jumped to 8,000 and by 2024, it reached 80,000. “This is a very sharp increase, which shows that Kazakhstan is becoming a notable player in the region,” Krivets said. According to the association, around 90% of foreign patients come from neighboring countries, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan, plus nearby Tajikistan. The remaining 10% hail from countries such as the United States, Germany, Israel, Austria, and Switzerland. The most in-demand services include reproductive medicine, dentistry, and aesthetic procedures. Kazakhstan offers these treatments at lower costs while maintaining acceptable standards of quality. In parallel, there is growing interest in more complex procedures such as cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, and radiation therapy for cancer. The average bill for a foreign patient is approximately 1.5 million KZT ($2,780) for medical services alone. However, the total spending per patient is roughly ten times higher than that of a typical tourist, once accommodation, transportation, and additional services are factored in, underscoring the sector’s growing economic significance and its multiplier effect on related industries. Meeting International Standards Currently, nine clinics in Kazakhstan hold Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation, seven in Astana and two in Almaty. While the accreditation process is costly and time-consuming, it is seen as essential for attracting international patients. “Today, Kazakhstan ranks first in medical tourism in Central Asia. Our main competitor is Uzbekistan, but we have every reason to become a medical tourism hub not just for our neighbors, but for a broader international audience,” Krivets stated. To help position Kazakhstan globally, the first international medical tourism exhibition, GlobalMedKZ, will be held in Astana on November 27-28. The event will focus on promoting the sector through information tours, social media campaigns, participation in international exhibitions, and consultations with foreign doctors. “GlobalMedKZ will become a platform for Kazakhstan to be known to the whole world,” Krivets emphasized. Legal Barriers Remain Despite its rapid development, the sector still faces significant legal challenges. Krivets pointed out that medical tourism is not yet defined in Kazakh legislation. “We are working with the Ministry of Health to include a definition in the Law ‘On Health,’ but ideally, a separate law on medical tourism is needed,” she said. Visa access is not a major hurdle, as most citizens from countries in Eurasia can enter Kazakhstan without a visa. However, state medical institutions are currently prohibited from paying commissions to foreign agents, limiting efforts to attract more international patients. Still, Krivets remains optimistic. “Medical tourism is a paid service that, with a well-structured system, can generate substantial revenue for the state. We see successful models in Turkey and South Korea, where it has become one of...

Pharmaceutical Business

Tajikistan’s Pharmaceutical Sector Remains Heavily Dependent on Imports

Despite possessing vast reserves of medicinal plants, Tajikistan's pharmaceutical industry remains heavily reliant on imports. Experts are increasingly questioning why the sector has been reduced to a basic "buy-and-sell" model and what is hindering the use of the country’s natural resources. Abundant Resources, Limited Output Tajikistan is home to more than 3,500 species of medicinal plants, including licorice, mint, valerian, chamomile, motherwort, and even rare saffron. However, this natural wealth has not translated into pharmaceutical independence. In the past two years alone, Tajikistan has imported roughly $84 million worth of medicines. Currently, 67 pharmaceutical companies are registered in the country, producing around 600 types of drugs. Still, imported pharmaceuticals dominate the market. According to industry observers, the sector has evolved into a retail-focused trade, rather than a hub for research-based production. During the Soviet era, pharmaceuticals in Tajikistan were closely integrated with scientific institutions. Research institutes flourished, pharmacies compounded custom medications, and both training and quality control were rigorous. Following the collapse of the USSR, this infrastructure disintegrated. The responsible state committee was dissolved, and a previously regulated system was replaced by an unstructured market. Today, training programs are often accelerated, pharmacists’ qualifications are inconsistent, and the emphasis has shifted from treatment to sales. A Pharmacy That Heals Amid this decline, one notable exception is found in the city of Isfara, where a phytotherapy department has been established at the local hospital. Spearheaded by pharmacist Abubakr Faiziev, the department operates out of a restored facility where locally gathered herbs are used to produce traditional infusions and decoctions. Faiziev personally collects about half of the ingredients. “It is important to me that the pharmacy heals, not just sells,” he said. According to Faiziev, approximately 80% of patients return for follow-up treatment, often bypassing conventional doctors due to the perceived effectiveness of herbal therapies, a sentiment echoed even among members of the local elite. A Science in Decline Faiziev laments the erosion of scientific ambition in the country. "People now ask for business plans and guaranteed profits instead of pursuing knowledge. But science doesn’t work that way," he said. Research, he noted, has become sporadic and often relies on outdated data, with little interest from private companies in investing in innovation. Young professionals, too, are increasingly opting for commercial routes. “They prefer to open pharmacies for fast income rather than engage in research,” he explained. “There are many pharmacists now. But we must transform quantity into quality. Without passion for the profession, one cannot become a skilled expert.” The State’s Role and Untapped Potential President Emomali Rahmon has repeatedly stressed the need to develop the domestic pharmaceutical industry and better utilize Tajikistan’s natural resources. Ongoing reforms include updates to medical university curricula, the opening of laboratories, and the training of technologists and quality control specialists. Yet, experts argue that without a comprehensive, systematic strategy and active engagement from the private sector, these measures are insufficient. Faiziev advocates for the creation of a pharmaceutical technology park and the development of both the domestic...