Health - The Times Of Central Asia

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Health

Kazakhstan Sees Growth in Urban Cancer Cases

The incidence of cancer has risen in Kazakhstan’s cities, while rural areas have seen a decline, according to Energyprom.kz, which cited data from the Ministry of Health. In 2024, cancer incidence in urban areas reached 239.2 cases per 100,000 people, up from 230 the previous year. The highest rates, exceeding the national average, were recorded in the Karaganda region (353.5 per 100,000), Kostanay region (352.7), East Kazakhstan region (349.4), and Abay region (302.4). Environmental factors are believed to contribute. Karaganda, the hub of Kazakhstan’s coal and metallurgical industries, was ranked the world’s third most polluted city in 2024, according to the World Air Quality Report by IQAir. By contrast, cancer incidence in rural areas decreased to 147.1 per 100,000 people in 2024, down from 173.8 in 2023. Regional Data The total number of cancer patients in Kazakhstan reached 230,900 in 2024, an increase of 12,800, or 5.8%, compared to the previous year. Almaty, the country’s largest city, recorded the highest number of patients: 34,200. However, its incidence rate per 100,000 people was slightly below the national average. Karaganda region ranked second with 21,400 patients. Astana followed with 16,800. In 2024, 41,300 people in Kazakhstan were diagnosed with cancer for the first time. The largest numbers of new cases were in Almaty (5,200), Karaganda region (3,800), and Astana (3,000). Medical statistics also showed that the rate of primary diagnoses declined slightly, from 208.6 to 204.8 per 100,000 people. Kazakhstan in Regional Contex Within Central Asia, Kazakhstan has the highest cancer incidence, followed by: Kyrgyzstan - 86 per 100,000 Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan - 74.1 Tajikistan - 32.1 The cancer mortality rate in Kazakhstan also rose in 2024, from 65.1 to 68 deaths per 100,000 people. Measures to Combat Cancer To expand treatment access, Kazakhstan has launched domestic production of oncological drugs. In October 2024, Swiss pharmaceutical company F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., in partnership with Nobel Almaty Pharmaceutical Factory JSC, began producing three biotechnological medicines in Almaty for the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer, an aggressive form affecting up to 20% of breast cancer patients in Kazakhstan. Each year, around 5,000 new cases of breast cancer are registered in the country, with about 1,200 resulting in death.

Poverty

Central Asia Cuts Hunger Fivefold in Two Decades, FAO Reports

The number of people facing hunger in Central Asia has fallen sharply over the past two decades, according to a new report from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The share of the population suffering from undernourishment dropped from 13.1% in 2005 to just 2.8% in 2024, equivalent to a decline from 7.8 million people to 2.3 million. Much of this progress was achieved before 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted that trend: between 2020 and 2021, undernourishment rose to 2.5 million. However, with the introduction of stronger food security policies and an economic rebound, the region has since regained positive momentum. The FAO report notes that a healthy diet in Central Asia now costs an average of $3.78 per person per day. While this is below the global average of $4.46, it remains unaffordable for many low-income households, particularly in rural Tajikistan. In 2024, FAO estimates that approximately 14% of the region’s population, roughly 11.5 million people, still could not afford a balanced diet. Child health indicators have also improved. The prevalence of stunting among children under five has halved since 2012, falling from 14.8% to 7.4%. Rates of acute malnutrition have also declined, and childhood obesity rates have decreased slightly. Nonetheless, persistent challenges remain: anemia affects about one-third of women of reproductive age, and adult obesity is on the rise, increasing from 18.8% to 25.1% over the past decade. In 2024, Tajikistan remained the most food-insecure country in the former Soviet Union. According to the Global Hunger Index published by the International Food Policy Research Institute, 8.7% of its population faces food shortages, placing the country 65th out of 127 worldwide. In a sign of regional engagement, Uzbekistan officially joined the Global Alliance to Combat Hunger and Poverty in December 2024, reinforcing its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and to global cooperation on food security.

Health

Maternal Mortality Continues to Decline in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan has ranked among the top 10 countries globally in terms of reducing maternal mortality rates, according to the World Health Organization. Over the past decade, Kazakhstan's maternal mortality rate has dropped significantly, reaching 10.1 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024. This progress comes despite a temporary spike in maternal deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three regions -- Pavlodar (northeast), Mangistau (west), and North Kazakhstan -- reported zero maternal deaths in 2024. Additionally, 99.9% of births across the country were attended by qualified medical personnel, reflecting widespread access to professional maternal healthcare. Steady Progress with Regional Disparities The Ministry of Health reported the following annual maternal mortality figures: 2020: 200 cases 2021: 70 cases 2022: 45 cases 2024: 37 cases Despite the national downward trend, 10 regions have seen a slight rise in maternal deaths over the past six years. In 2024, 54% of maternal deaths occurred in urban areas, with 46% in rural settings. A troubling development is the rise in mortality among women with four or more children, which left 97 children orphaned last year. Nonetheless, the current maternal mortality rate is the lowest recorded in Kazakhstan's post-Soviet history. In 1992, the rate stood at 76.8 deaths per 100,000 live births. Regional Leadership in Maternal Health As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan is actively sharing its expertise in maternal and child health with neighboring countries, contributing to broader regional health development efforts.

Health

Unvaccinated Children Barred from First Grade in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education has announced that children who are not vaccinated will not be admitted to first grade, amid a worsening measles outbreak in the country. Deputy Education Minister Lira Samykbayeva stated during a live national radio broadcast that the process of registering children for school has been significantly simplified. Parents no longer need to submit numerous documents such as passports, marriage or birth certificates, and proof of family composition. “This year, the Ministry of Education integrated its database with other government agencies, so there is no longer a need to collect certificates manually,” Samykbayeva explained. However, she emphasized that two medical certificates will remain mandatory: one confirming a general health examination, and another verifying that the child has received preventive vaccinations, including the measles vaccine. “The only thing that must be provided to the school is two medical certificates,” she said. “Including vaccination against measles.” A government decree enforcing the new requirement was adopted just a day earlier. In the future, the Ministries of Education and Health plan to fully integrate their systems, allowing medical records to be accessed automatically by schools. The stricter policy comes as Kyrgyzstan battles a growing measles outbreak. Since the beginning of the year, over 4,000 children have contracted the disease, and eight people have died. According to health officials, 95 percent of those infected were unvaccinated. Speaking to The Times of Central Asia, Gulbara Ishenapysova, Director of the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, said the Ministry of Health is stepping up vaccination efforts. “By decision of the Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers, the ministry has revised the national vaccination calendar,” she noted. In an effort to improve public trust, Kyrgyz health authorities have also engaged religious leaders. Clergy across the country are being encouraged to speak with parents about the importance of vaccinating their children.

Health

Kazakh Villages Voluntarily Embrace Alcohol-Free Lifestyle

An increasing number of villages across Kazakhstan are voluntarily banning the sale of alcohol, reflecting a grassroots movement aimed at improving public health, safety, and the wellbeing of future generations. Prosecutor General Berik Asylov highlighted the trend on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, describing it as a conscious decision made by ordinary citizens, not a top-down directive. “When citizens take responsibility, reality itself changes,” he wrote, emphasizing that the initiative stems from the community level. Bottom-Up Initiative, Top-Level Support One notable example comes from a village in the Mangistau region, where residents released a video declaring their collective decision to stop selling alcohol. Similar efforts have emerged in Akmola, Zhambyl, Karaganda, Atyrau, and other regions. While still relatively isolated, these cases are increasing, Asylov noted, with the number of “dry” villages steadily growing. The movement is often driven by local community councils and elders, supported by the prosecutor’s office, police, and akimats (local government offices), which help implement preventive measures and maintain order. Entrepreneurs have also played a key role. Responding to requests from fellow villagers, many voluntarily removed alcohol from their shelves. Contrary to concerns, these businesses did not suffer losses, residents began purchasing more nutritious food and products for children instead. Visible Impact on Communities According to Asylov, the results are already apparent: crime rates are dropping, domestic violence is decreasing, and more young people are choosing sports and healthier lifestyles over alcohol. “This is a real-life demonstration of the principle of ‘Law and Order’, not enforced by fear, but built on trust; not through punishment, but through personal choice,” he said. Official Data Reflects the Trend Law enforcement statistics support this development. In the first quarter of 2025, the number of crimes committed under the influence of alcohol declined nationwide, a direct outcome of such community-led initiatives. In Aktobe region, 33 villages across nine of the region’s twelve districts have officially stopped selling alcohol, according to local media. In Turkestan region, 61 more villages have taken similar steps, according to Murat Kabdenov, head of the regional police department. Meanwhile, the village of Sunkar in Almaty region stands out for its complete elimination of alcohol from daily life, not just retail outlets. A Vision for the Future Prosecutor General Asylov reaffirmed that the General Prosecutor’s Office supports any community-driven initiative that promotes social harmony, respect for the law, and a shared vision for a better future. “People value trust, stability, and peace. They inspire each other through personal example,” he concluded.

Health

Uzbekistan and Hungary Use Nobel-Winning Discovery to Develop Health Supplements

Scientists from Uzbekistan and Hungary are collaborating to develop new health supplements derived from sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), a plant known for its medicinal properties. The research is being conducted by the Pharmaceutical Institute of Tashkent and Hungary’s Meditop Pharmaceutical Ltd. The project is based on the groundbreaking work of Chinese scientist Tu Youyou, who won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering artemisinin, a compound extracted from sweet wormwood that effectively treats malaria. The joint initiative aims to produce antiseptic and anti-inflammatory supplements in various forms, including capsules, ointments, hydrogels, mouthwashes, and ear drops. These products are classified as food supplements rather than medicines. Currently, researchers are testing the active compounds on animals to evaluate their effectiveness. While still in the early stages of development, with prototypes being tested, mass production is planned to take place in Uzbekistan using Hungarian pharmaceutical expertise. It remains uncertain whether all prototypes will reach large-scale production, but both sides express optimism about the project’s potential. This collaboration is part of a broader partnership between the two countries. In 2023, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov announced plans to establish a special industrial zone in Uzbekistan for Hungarian companies. Sweet wormwood has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly in Chinese medicine, where it has been employed to treat fever and infections. In recent years, artemisinin has been investigated not only for malaria treatment but also for its potential applications in cancer therapy and respiratory health, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.