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Cancer Treatment

Diagnosis and a Suitcase: Why Kazakhstanis with Cancer Still Seek Treatment Abroad

Fundraising appeals for cancer treatment abroad have become a familiar feature of Kazakhstan’s social media landscape. A photograph, a medical report, a bank account number and a plea for help often signal a family’s decision that treatment outside the country offers the best chance of survival. Whether that perception is justified remains one of the most sensitive questions facing Kazakhstan’s healthcare system. According to the Ministry of Health, the incidence of malignant neoplasms in urban areas reached approximately 239 cases per 100,000 people in 2024, up from 230 a year earlier. Kazakhstan records one of the highest cancer incidence rates in Central Asia, ahead of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, according to recent regional comparisons. More than 30,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed in Kazakhstan each year, while thousands of people die annually from malignant tumors. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed form of the disease, followed by colorectal and lung cancers. Lung cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality. The burden of disease is not evenly distributed. The highest incidence rates are recorded in industrial regions such as Pavlodar, Karaganda, Kostanay, North Kazakhstan and East Kazakhstan. Specialists attribute the trend to a combination of environmental pollution, unhealthy lifestyles, population aging and, according to some experts, the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kazakhstan’s leading oncologists generally reject the notion that treatment abroad is automatically better. The country’s major oncology centers offer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy using treatment protocols that largely correspond to international standards. Physicians at the National Research Oncology Center in Astana note that many patients who travel to Turkey or South Korea eventually receive treatment recommendations similar to those available in Kazakhstan, often at a much higher personal cost. The difference, doctors and patients say, often lies in speed and service. Private clinics abroad can offer faster access to consultations, diagnostics and treatment, while patients frequently cite more personalized care and greater attention from medical staff. For families confronting a life-threatening diagnosis, such factors can become decisive. At the same time, some limitations within Kazakhstan’s healthcare system are difficult to ignore. The country’s bone marrow donor registry remains relatively small. In leukemia cases where no compatible donor can be found among relatives, patients often depend on international registries and may require treatment abroad. Organ transplantation from deceased donors also remains underdeveloped. In some cases of liver cancer, patients must travel to countries such as Belarus when no living donor is available. Some of the latest targeted therapies and immunotherapy drugs are also not yet registered in Kazakhstan, although oncologists say new treatments are gradually being incorporated into clinical practice. One of the most common complaints among patients with cancer in Kazakhstan concerns delays in diagnostics and treatment. Kazakhstan’s healthcare system formally guarantees a so-called “green corridor” for oncology patients, under which no more than 30 days should pass between the initial suspicion of cancer and the start of treatment. In practice, however, access to high-tech diagnostic equipment remains uneven. PET/CT scanners, a...

Health

Alcohol and Male Mortality in Kazakhstan: A Problem People Do Not Usually Talk About

The figures are alarming when examined closely, although Kazakhstan seems to have grown used to them. Women in the country still live noticeably longer than men. According to the Bureau of National Statistics, women’s life expectancy has reached 79.8 years, while men’s is 72.19 years. A gap of almost eight years has persisted for several years. In 2024, women lived on average to 79.42 years, while men lived to 71.33 years. In 2023, the figures were 79.06 and 70.99 years, respectively. The statistics are changing gradually, but the main conclusion remains the same: male mortality in Kazakhstan remains one of the country’s most visible demographic problems. A gender gap in life expectancy is not unique to Kazakhstan – according to estimates by Our World in Data, men live shorter lives than women in every country in the world. The problem in Kazakhstan is the size of the gap. In prosperous countries, it is often three to four years. In Kazakhstan, it is about eight. Biology explains only part of this difference. The rest comes down to behavior, environment, and habits. What the Statistics Show At first glance, the level of alcohol consumption in Kazakhstan does not look extreme. According to WHO data, in 2022, alcohol consumption in Kazakhstan stood at 5.4 liters of pure ethanol per person over the age of 15. For comparison, the figure in Germany is about 13 liters, while in Russia it is more than 11 liters. However, the average figure is not the only thing that matters. The statistics do not show exactly who drinks, how often, or in what circumstances. That is why alcohol rarely appears in official statistics as a direct cause of death, but it often remains an invisible background to tragedy. Documents may list a heart attack, an injury, liver disease, or complications after poisoning, yet alcohol abuse may be a contributing factor behind many of these diagnoses. According to the WHO, more than 3 million people worldwide die every year from diseases and consequences related to alcohol, and a significant share of these deaths are among men. Kazakhstan has also appeared in international rankings of countries with high alcohol-related mortality. The example of Almaty is also revealing: over the course of a year, more than 6,000 cases of poisoning from alcoholic products were recorded there, around 2,000 people were hospitalized, and 23 cases ended in death. But even these data reflect only part of the problem. Alcohol may not be named as the main culprit, although it can trigger or intensify a chain of consequences, including heart disease, injuries, gastrointestinal diseases, infections, cancer, and mental disorders. Why Men in Particular According to the Bureau of National Statistics collection Men and Women of Kazakhstan, in 2023 there were 95 cases of alcohol-related disorders per 100,000 men, compared with 18 among women. Men suffer from these problems 5.3 times more often. The portrait of the typical consumer is also recognizable. Most often, this is a man aged 30 to 44, with secondary...

Pharmaceuticals

EBRD Provides €20 Million Loan to Expand Uzbekistan’s Pharmaceutical Production

Uzbekistan is taking further steps to strengthen its pharmaceutical industry and healthcare system through new investment and sector reforms aimed at reducing reliance on imported medical products. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has announced a loan of up to €20 million to its long-term client Samarkand England Eco-Medical (SEEM) and its sister company, Bayan Medical. Both companies produce intravenous solutions, including sodium chloride, glucose, and amino acid infusions, as well as generic and specialized medicines in tablet and capsule form. The financing will support the installation of new production lines at SEEM, enabling the company to expand manufacturing of in-glass intravenous solutions, antibiotics, syrups and suspensions, medical-grade water, nasal sprays, suppositories, and ointments. Part of the funds will also be allocated to modernizing Bayan Medical’s facilities, including energy-efficiency upgrades and the installation of a blow-fill-seal ampoule production line and other specialized equipment. The companies are also expected to restructure their balance sheets as part of the project. The investment comes at a time when approximately 75% of medical goods used in Uzbekistan are imported. Expanding domestic production capacity is intended to promote localization, strengthen supply security, and align manufacturing standards with international requirements. The project also includes social and workforce components. Bayan Medical plans to introduce internship opportunities for university graduates, expand professional training programs for employees, and create new jobs, including positions accessible to people with disabilities. To date, the EBRD has invested nearly $6.9 billion (€5.8 billion) in Uzbekistan across 205 projects, the majority of which have supported private sector development. Uzbekistan has been the largest recipient of EBRD funding in Central Asia for six consecutive years, reflecting sustained economic reforms and investor engagement. Healthcare indicators point to broader structural progress. According to the 2024 Health Care Index published by CEOWORLD magazine, Uzbekistan ranks first in Central Asia and 64th globally, with a score of 36.26. Kazakhstan ranks 78th, and Turkmenistan 95th. Data from the World Health Organization and the World Bank indicate that Uzbekistan’s Universal Health Coverage service index rose from the mid-50s in 2000 to the mid-70s by 2021, suggesting expanded access to essential medical services. Authorities aim to further increase coverage by 2027 while reducing out-of-pocket healthcare spending through strengthened primary care systems and clearer guarantees of publicly funded services.

Education

Kazakhstan Moves to Require Content Creators and Online Course Authors to Confirm Qualifications

Kazakhstan is preparing new legislative measures that would tighten requirements for content creators and authors of online courses who publish educational content. Under the proposed rules, such materials would have to include confirmation of the author’s relevant education or professional qualifications. The initiative is outlined in an official response by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov to a parliamentary inquiry regarding the regulation of online educational content. According to Bektenov, a draft law on online platforms and mass media has already been developed, along with amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses. The proposed legislation would require users of online platforms who distribute educational courses or training materials in a specific field to disclose information confirming their qualifications, including details of a diploma or certificate. The government also plans to introduce administrative liability for online platforms operating in Kazakhstan that fail to comply with authorized bodies’ orders to remove illegal content. Authorities note that existing legislation already provides for advertising and selling unregistered medicines and prescription drugs. Bektenov stated that state bodies continuously monitor social networks and cooperate with the administrations of major platforms, including Meta and TikTok, to remove prohibited content. According to him, up to 91% of identified violating materials are removed from TikTok. Oversight is also conducted through the Cyber Surveillance system, which tracks advertisements related to pyramid schemes, online casinos and drug trafficking. Over the past year, authorities identified and blocked more than 13,800 pieces of content promoting drugs, more than 34,700 posts advertising online casinos and over 13,500 materials involving citizens in pyramid schemes. Access to the relevant resources was restricted, and site owners were issued warnings. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that members of the Senate, the upper house of parliament, had proposed introducing licensing requirements for content creators in response to widespread violations of the ban on advertising online casinos on social networks and messaging platforms.

Healthcare

Uzbekistan and Russia to Develop Nuclear Medicine Strategy Ahead of 2026 Center Opening

Uzbekistan will develop a roadmap and long-term strategy for the advancement of nuclear medicine, according to the press service of the Atomic Energy Agency under the Cabinet of Ministers, Uzatom. The announcement followed a working meeting held on February 10 at Uzatom to discuss prospects for expanding nuclear medicine in the country. The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Healthcare Projects Center, the Committee for Industrial, Radiation and Nuclear Safety, the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Academy of Sciences, the state enterprise Radiopreparat, leading medical centers, and experts from Rosatom’s engineering division, underscoring growing cooperation between Uzbekistan and Russia in the sector. During the discussions, the Russian side presented its experience in building modern nuclear medicine infrastructure, including cyclotron complexes, radiopharmaceutical production facilities, and PET/CT diagnostic centers, as well as implementing turnkey international projects. Following the talks, the parties agreed to jointly draft a roadmap and strategy that will provide a framework for technology transfer, specialist training, and improvements in healthcare services. The initiative is intended to strengthen early cancer diagnosis and expand access to advanced treatment methods based on nuclear technologies. The construction of a Nuclear Medicine Center in Tashkent has begun. The center is scheduled to be equipped in 2026 with PET/CT scanners, a cyclotron, a radiopharmaceutical laboratory, as well as Gamma Knife and CyberKnife systems. The broader program also involves upgrading oncology services, promoting early cancer detection, training medical personnel to international standards, and deepening cooperation with Russia and Rosatom. Uzatom stated that it will continue to support the introduction of advanced technologies aimed at improving access to modern cancer diagnostics and treatment. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, citing IQVIA data, Uzbekistan’s pharmaceutical market reached $2.14 billion in the twelve months to September 2025, reflecting continued expansion and rising demand for medical services.

Nipah Virus

Kyrgyzstan Bans Animal Imports from India to Prevent Nipah Virus Spread

On January 28, Kyrgyzstan’s Veterinary Service imposed temporary restrictions on the import of live animals and animal products from India in response to confirmed cases of Nipah virus infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Nipah virus is a severe zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals, such as fruit bats or pigs, or through consumption of food contaminated by bat secretions. Human-to-human transmission is also possible through close contact. The virus has an estimated case-fatality rate of 40% to 75%. Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus were reported in late December in India’s eastern state of West Bengal. Both infected individuals were healthcare workers. Following these reports, authorities in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia intensified airport screenings to contain the risk of cross-border transmission. Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Health has issued a statement urging the public to remain calm, noting that no cases of Nipah virus have been registered in the country. The ministry assured that the healthcare system is prepared to respond swiftly to potential epidemiological threats. As a preventive measure, sanitary and quarantine controls have been tightened at Kyrgyzstan’s border crossings. The ministry continues to collaborate with the WHO and other international partners to monitor developments and coordinate containment efforts. In neighboring Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Health issued a similar statement confirming that no cases of Nipah virus infection have been detected and that the epidemiological situation remains under control. As a precaution, Kazakhstan has also enhanced screening procedures at all border checkpoints, with special attention to travelers arriving from India and Southeast Asia.