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Healthcare

ADB Approves $75M Loan to Boost Nursing Sector in Turkmenistan

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $75 million loan and an additional $2 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific to expand and improve the nursing and midwifery workforce in Turkmenistan. According to an ADB statement, this marks the bank’s first health sector project in the country. “The project aims to provide high-quality health services based on people’s needs and ensure equitable access to health care through strengthening the nursing profession and education,” said ADB Country Director for Turkmenistan Artur Andrysiak. He noted that this is ADB’s third project in Turkmenistan, reflecting a growing partnership as the Bank and the country celebrate 25 years of cooperation. The Turkmen government has prioritized healthcare reform, with a focus on improving the education and qualifications of health workers. Nurses, often the first point of contact in the health system, will be empowered to deliver both essential care and preventive services under the new initiative. Plans include the design and construction of a climate-resilient nursing school in Ashgabat, featuring state-of-the-art facilities such as clinical simulation labs, dormitories, a mother-friendly room, and an edible garden to promote nutrition. The project will also provide new medical and educational equipment and update curricula, teaching methods, and faculty training in line with international standards. The total project cost is estimated at $98 million, with the Turkmen government contributing $23 million in counterpart financing. The initiative builds on ADB’s growing cooperation with Turkmenistan in recent years. In August 2024, ADB adopted a new country partnership strategy for Turkmenistan covering 2024-2028. The strategy focuses on supporting the transition to a climate-resilient and sustainable economy, enhancing competitiveness through diversification and human capital development, and advancing structural reforms and institutional capacity.

Nuclear Energy

Kazakhstan to Develop Nuclear Science Cities in Almaty and Kurchatov

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has announced plans to establish two “science cities” in Almaty and Kurchatov to support the development of nuclear energy and nuclear medicine. The proposal was unveiled during a meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology. According to Tokayev, the initiative seeks to consolidate scientific, educational, and industrial infrastructure in regions slated for nuclear power plant construction. The Institute of Nuclear Physics in Almaty is expected to serve as the foundation for a new research hub featuring a multipurpose reactor. A second center will be established in Kurchatov, in the Abai region, in collaboration with the Academy of Sciences, the National Nuclear Center, and local authorities. In a 2024 national referendum, a majority of Kazakhstani voters approved the construction of a nuclear power plant. Earlier this year, the government selected Russia’s Rosatom to build the first plant in the Almaty Region. Two additional plants are expected to be developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), though their locations have not yet been confirmed. Tokayev emphasized the broader applications of nuclear technology, particularly in healthcare. He called for the development of domestically produced radiopharmaceuticals and the establishment of nuclear medicine centers to enhance treatment options for cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The president also addressed the country’s shortage of nuclear specialists. To help close the gap, 20 annual scholarships under the Bolashak program will be allocated specifically for training in nuclear fields. Currently, approximately 70 percent of Bolashak scholarships are directed toward engineering and technical disciplines. Kazakhstan possesses about 40 percent of the world’s uranium reserves. Tokayev noted that developing a domestic nuclear industry would allow the country to complete the nuclear fuel cycle and reduce reliance on uranium exports. A fuel assembly plant was launched in 2021, and the commissioning of nuclear plants is expected to make nuclear energy a self-sustaining sector of the national economy. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, in March, the government established a Nuclear Energy Agency to oversee the sector’s development.

Demographics

Kazakhstan’s Aging Population: Analysts Warn of Healthcare and Economic Risks

Kazakhstan is undergoing a rapid demographic shift as its population ages at an unprecedented pace. According to a recent study by Ranking.kz, the number of citizens aged 60 and above is growing by 3-4% annually. As of early 2025, Kazakhstan had 2.8 million residents over the age of 60, an increase of 3.7% compared to the previous year. Seniors now make up 13.9% of the population, up from 12% in 2020 and 9.8% in 2010. The average annual growth rate for this age group has remained steady at around 3.8% since 2010. The gender disparity is notable: 16.4% of women in Kazakhstan are over 60, compared to just 11.3% of men. This demographic shift is largely driven by increasing life expectancy. In 2024, life expectancy in Kazakhstan reached 75.44 years, up from 75.1 the previous year. Women live an average of 79.42 years, while men live 71.33. The only recent decline in life expectancy occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend mirrors global developments. According to data from the IMF, UN, and WHO, global life expectancy has more than doubled over the past century from just 34 years in 1913 to 72 years by 2022 and continues to rise, even as fertility rates fall. When the UN and WHO were founded, children under 15 outnumbered people over 65 by seven to one. By 2050, the two groups are projected to be equal. The proportion of people aged 80 and older is expected to nearly quadruple, reaching 5% of the global population. “These shifts foreshadow a vast array of problems in healthcare, as well as in the social and economic spheres,” IMF analysts caution. Experts warn that aging will reshape Kazakhstan’s labor market, change consumption patterns, and place mounting pressure on the pension system. Like many other countries, Kazakhstan faces the challenge of balancing support for its growing elderly population with the need to sustain long-term economic development.

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...

Pharmaceuticals

Uzbekistan’s Pharma Pivot: Strategic Gains or Growing Dependence on China

Since 2016, Uzbekistan has steadily deepened its partnership with China across multiple sectors. Energy, infrastructure, agriculture, and the digital economy have long been the pillars of this cooperation. Yet recent discussions showed that the pharmaceutical sector will be another critical area for cooperation in the long term. Much like renewable energy and critical minerals, the pharmaceutical sector is now viewed in Tashkent as a strategic domain where Chinese expertise and investment could accelerate development and add value to the domestic economy. The Compelling Logic of Partnership China's strength lies in its ability to produce high-quality, affordable medicines and distribute them globally at scale. For Uzbekistan - whose growing population and rising demand for advanced healthcare have placed pressure on its system - this makes China a natural partner. At present, the Uzbek pharmaceutical market remains heavily import-dependent: by the end of 2024, imported drugs accounted for 87% of retail sales in monetary terms and 63% in physical volume. This reliance not only exposes vulnerabilities but also highlights the untapped potential for local production. Recognizing this, Tashkent has moved to create favorable conditions for investment. The country has established specialized pharmaceutical Special Economic Zones (SEZ) such as Parkent-Pharm and Andijan-Pharm. These SEZs offer investors an attractive package of incentives, from exemptions on customs duties and VAT for raw materials and equipment, to a 20% preference in government procurement for local products. Such regulatory incentives, combined with a growing domestic market, have already begun to draw interest from Chinese pharmaceutical firms. Strategic Priorities Recently, Uzbekistan has signed a series of memorandums of understanding with Chinese firms such as Zhendong Health Industry, Guojo Medical Technology, and Langtian Pharma Group, signaling a stronger bilateral focus on the pharmaceutical sector. These agreements align closely with Uzbekistan’s strategic goal of building a robust domestic pharmaceutical industry with an emphasis on access to capital and technology, localization, and human capital development. One of Uzbekistan’s key priorities is securing access to capital and expertise. Without investment and collaboration with experienced companies, the state cannot establish modern laboratories and production facilities. In this regard, the Uzbek company, Ozwell, has signed an MoU with Zhendong Health Industry Group to jointly implement a modern pharmaceutical laboratory. The partnership involves a total investment of $9.5 million, with $4.5 million allocated toward creating a world-class laboratory facility and $5 million designated for establishing and scaling up a production complex. This agreement reflects Tashkent’s desire to tap into Chinese technical knowledge and experience, while simultaneously building domestic capacity and developing local talent in the long term. Another critical priority is the localization of drug production. By reducing dependency on imports, Uzbekistan is aiming to strengthen supply chain resilience, meet domestic demand, and create new opportunities for regional exports. In this regard, the MoU established with Langtian Pharma Group and Guojo Medical Technology is designed to investigate opportunities for domestic production while promoting technological collaboration and knowledge transfer within the pharmaceutical industry. The final priority is the development of human capital. In this regard, Uzbekistan...

Healthcare

Kyrgyzstan and China to Expand Healthcare Cooperation

China is exploring investment opportunities in Kyrgyzstan’s healthcare sector, including the construction of a pharmaceutical plant using locally grown medicinal herbs and the establishment of a medical equipment assembly facility, according to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Health. These prospects were discussed during a meeting in Bishkek between Kyrgyz Health Minister Erkin Checheybaev and a Belt and Road healthcare investment coordinator from Xinjiang Medical University in Urumqi. The talks focused on deepening healthcare cooperation within the framework of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Key proposals included: Supplying high-tech medical equipment to Kyrgyz hospitals and clinics Establishing medical simulation centers and equipping Kyrgyz medical universities through grant support Offering fully funded bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in China for Kyrgyz students Creating a Kyrgyz-Chinese Center for Traditional Medicine Similar centers currently operate in Pakistan and Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan may soon join this regional network under the “Silk Road for Traditional Medicine” initiative. China also signaled its willingness to provide educational materials and dispatch specialists to train Kyrgyz medical professionals in traditional Chinese medicine practices.