Kazakhstan Is Rethinking Its Healthcare System, Focusing on Prevention

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Health has outlined updated investment and development plans for 2023-2027, signaling a shift in the country’s healthcare approach from treating diseases to preventing them, strengthening biosafety, and expanding mental health support. However, some experts warn that the new strategy could have unintended economic consequences, including the reallocation of budget funds toward information campaigns, digital initiatives, and infrastructure projects whose effectiveness may be difficult to assess. One of the key areas of reform is the prevention of noncommunicable diseases. Authorities are considering restrictions on advertising products high in salt, sugar, and trans fats, amid rising childhood obesity rates. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 21% of children in Kazakhstan aged 6-9 are overweight. Such restrictions could affect the media market. Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies indicates that bans on advertising unhealthy food can reduce media revenues. In Kazakhstan, this could increase pressure on an industry already subject to limits on advertising alcohol, tobacco, and certain medications. At the same time, the ministry plans to expand public awareness campaigns, including video content and national initiatives such as “Salamatty shanyraq” (“Healthy Family”). Public health research suggests that the effectiveness of such campaigns can be difficult to measure, and their impact on behavior may be limited. Another priority is the creation of a “biological shield” system, including genomic and metagenomic surveillance, as well as the development of domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing. These initiatives are expected to attract up to $380 million in private investment. However, concerns remain about implementation capacity. Previous reports have highlighted inefficient use of medical equipment. In 2024, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova stated that expensive equipment in some medical facilities remained unused. In certain regions, shortages of trained specialists and necessary consumables have prevented effective deployment. The third component of the strategy focuses on mental health. Authorities plan to expand the network of specialized centers and introduce the uSupport digital platform to provide online consultations. At the same time, public trust in the state system remains limited. According to official data, individuals with addictions often avoid seeking treatment due to fears of being registered, which could restrict access to employment, education, and driver’s licenses. Experts also highlight the scale of gambling addiction. Estimates suggest that around 350,000 people in Kazakhstan suffer from compulsive gambling, while the growing availability of online casinos and microfinance services continues to contribute to rising household debt. The shift toward a preventive healthcare model aligns with global trends. However, analysts warn that without effective implementation, the reform could result in increased administrative pressure on businesses, inefficient public spending, and limited improvements in health outcomes.

Kazakhstan Among Top Ten Countries in Reducing Premature NCD Mortality

Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia and one of only ten in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) European Region to meet the target of reducing premature mortality from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025, according to the Ministry of Health. The data is based on the WHO Regional Office for Europe’s latest report, Preventable Mortality, Risk Factors and Strategies for Responding to NCDs. The ten countries recognized for achieving this milestone are Belgium, Denmark, Israel, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, and Estonia. “These countries have implemented the most effective WHO strategies, reduced risk factor prevalence, and strengthened healthcare systems, resulting in a consistent annual decline in deaths from preventable and treatable NCDs, particularly cardiovascular diseases and cancer,” the report states. Kazakhstan’s efforts in these two areas were specifically highlighted. Kazakhstan’s progress has focused on prevention, early diagnosis, expanded treatment access, and improved survival outcomes. WHO monitoring shows the country has implemented 50% of recommended NCD control measures and conducted its first national STEPS survey, a WHO-endorsed standard for assessing NCD risk factors, significantly bolstering public health capabilities. In response to the high burden of cardiovascular disease, Kazakhstan has increased the number of catheterization laboratories from 31 to 49 between 2017 and 2024, and opened 83 stroke centers, substantially reducing stroke-related mortality and disability rates. The country has also made significant progress in high-tech medical interventions. Since 2012, more than 600 ventricular assist devices have been implanted, and in 2025, Kazakhstan performed its 100th heart transplant. In 2024, it became the first country in the CIS and Central Asia to introduce a new technology for treating cardiac arrhythmias. The state health program also includes screenings for eight major diseases, including hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and various cancers. By the end of 2024, 70% of the targeted population had been screened for breast and colorectal cancer. As a result of these initiatives, life expectancy in Kazakhstan rose from 74.44 years in 2022 to 75.09 years in 2023. Kazakhstan has also aggressively addressed behavioral risk factors. It enforces some of the region’s strictest anti-smoking laws, including public smoking bans, graphic warnings, tobacco taxes, advertising restrictions, and a complete ban on electronic cigarettes and vapes. Over the past decade, smoking rates have declined by 20%. To reduce sugar consumption, the government banned the sale of sweetened beverages in schools and, in 2024, passed legislation prohibiting energy drink sales to individuals under 21. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan plans to fund health insurance for over one million unemployed citizens starting in 2026.