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Healthcare

Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates Continue to Decline in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan's Health Minister Akmaral Alnazaraeva has announced further reductions in maternal and infant mortality rates, although some regions are showing a troubling reversal of the trend. Speaking at a recent government meeting, Alnazaraeva attributed the improvements to the adoption of recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. In 2024, maternal mortality declined by 12 percent to 10.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, while infant mortality dropped by 11 percent to 6.88 deaths per 1,000 live births. The positive trend continued into the first half of 2025, with maternal mortality falling by another 10 percent and infant mortality by 26 percent. The minister noted that clinical protocols in obstetrics and pediatrics have been revised nationwide. Since June 2024, tariffs for obstetric and pediatric services, including childbirth, surgeries, and neonatal care, have been increased. These changes have improved access to expensive medications, reduced the debt burden of medical institutions, and helped attract qualified specialists to the sector. The Health Ministry also highlighted the expanded role of air ambulance services, which have saved 96 percent of women in labor and their newborns in remote areas. In 2025, for the first time, medications for pregnant women with conditions such as pyelonephritis, diabetes, and hypertension were added to the list of free drugs. To improve rural maternal care, "Salaawatty Ana" (Healthy Mother) boarding houses have opened in Turkestan, East Kazakhstan, and Akmola regions. These facilities offer pre-hospital care and postnatal rehabilitation for women with complicated births, with their effectiveness monitored in real time by regional situation centers. Kazakhstan is also making strides in healthcare digitalization. The electronic child health passport, now mandatory for kindergarten and school enrollment, has been introduced nationwide. A monitoring system for early detection of pediatric health problems has been deployed, and a digital health profile is being developed for every child under 18. Despite overall national progress, the minister acknowledged rising maternal mortality in Akmola, Zhambyl, Aktobe, Kostanay, Zhetysu, and Abai regions. Infant mortality has also increased in Kostanay, West Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Abai, and Zhetysu. The situation is most severe in Akmola, where maternal mortality is seven times the national average. Key factors include severe extragenital conditions, obstetric complications, congenital malformations, and neonatal respiratory disorders. In response, stricter regulatory oversight will be introduced starting in September 2025. The Medical and Pharmaceutical Control Committee will be granted new powers to suspend the licenses of medical facilities and dismiss uncertified personnel. Qualification standards will be raised, and patient support services will be expanded. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan continues to experience a steady decline in birth rates despite government efforts to encourage demographic growth.

life expectancy

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.

Energy

Tajikistan’s Energy Paradox

Tajikistan stands out among developing countries for having achieved near-universal access to electricity by 2022. This milestone, documented in the international SDG7-2025 report by the UN, World Bank, WHO, IEA, and IRENA, places the country alongside Eastern European and South Caucasus states in electrification. However, beneath this achievement lie persistent vulnerabilities, particularly in rural and mountainous regions, where winter brings regular power outages due to seasonal dips in hydropower generation and surging demand. Firewood and Coal Still Dominant Despite near-total electrification, Tajikistan remains significantly behind in access to clean cooking fuels. Fewer than 40% of the population use modern, safe technologies. In villages, the majority of households still rely on coal, firewood, or even manure for heating and cooking, practices that pose serious environmental and health risks, especially for women and children. Tajikistan’s power sector is heavily dependent on hydropower, which accounts for over 90% of electricity production. While this results in low CO₂ emissions, it also creates structural vulnerabilities. Climate change and glacial retreat threaten the reliability of this single energy source. Meanwhile, the potential of solar and wind energy remains largely untapped due to a lack of investment, insufficient institutional frameworks, and limited support for decentralized energy projects. Lagging in Energy Efficiency Tajikistan is one of the most energy-intensive countries in the region. Aging heating systems, poorly insulated buildings, and inefficient technologies in agriculture and industry all contribute to this inefficiency. The SDG7 report emphasizes the need to upgrade buildings and adopt energy-saving technologies. Some progress has been made: with assistance from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), thermal upgrades are underway in schools and hospitals. In 2021, Tajikistan received approximately $100 million in international support for energy projects, most of it allocated to hydropower. Major donors include the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and various UN agencies. However, investment in solar and wind energy, as well as broader energy efficiency initiatives, remains negligible. Experts are urging international partners to revise their priorities and fund projects that directly improve living standards, particularly in remote and rural areas. A Regional Disparity in Investment The pace of energy transition varies across Central Asia. While electrification is largely complete, access to clean cooking fuels remains uneven. Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are notably behind in this area. In contrast, Uzbekistan has emerged as a regional leader, securing the bulk of international energy investment. Uzbekistan, on the contrary, entered the top five world leaders in attracting investments in green energy. Globally, progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) is slowing. As of 2022, 91% of the world’s population had access to electricity, but over two billion people still rely on harmful fuels for cooking. Energy efficiency improvements are lagging, advancing at just one-quarter of the pace needed to meet 2030 targets. Charting a Path Forward Experts recommend three immediate priorities for Tajikistan. First, scaling up decentralized solar and wind energy projects. Second, investing in the energy efficiency of buildings and infrastructure. Third, expanding access to clean cooking fuels through...

Tobacco

Kyrgyz Health Minister Proposes Raising Tobacco Taxes to Curb Smoking

Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Health, Erkin Checheybayev, has proposed raising excise taxes on tobacco products as part of a broader effort to improve public health, particularly among the country’s youth. The proposal was announced at a meeting held on June 10 in Bishkek, organized by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) country office and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Knowledge Hub on Tobacco Taxation. The discussion focused on strategies to reduce tobacco affordability and consumption through effective taxation measures. According to the Ministry of Health, tobacco use is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, chronic respiratory illnesses, and cancer. These diseases account for more than 80% of premature deaths in Kyrgyzstan. WHO estimates indicate that more than 6,000 Kyrgyz citizens aged 30 and older die annually from tobacco-related illnesses, around 5,000 men and 1,000 women. Cardiovascular diseases make up over half of these deaths. The economic toll from tobacco-related cardiovascular conditions exceeds 17 billion Kyrgyzstani som (approximately $194 million). Roughly 22% of adults in Kyrgyzstan smoke, including one in two men. Among individuals aged 35-69, up to 30% of men and 5% of women die from tobacco-related causes. For these age groups, smoking reduces life expectancy by an average of 21 years. Despite the public health burden, Kyrgyzstan’s current tobacco excise tax remains below 50% of the retail price of cigarettes, significantly lower than the WHO-recommended threshold of 75% or more. According to WHO research, taxation is among the most effective tools for reducing tobacco use. A 10% increase in cigarette prices can lower smoking rates among children and adolescents by approximately 8% in developing countries. On June 9, a delegation from the WHO FCTC Knowledge Hub met with Checheybayev in Bishkek to present the TETSiM simulation model, an analytical tool demonstrating how raising excise taxes can both reduce tobacco consumption and increase government revenue. The mission will remain in Kyrgyzstan until June 12, providing technical support for developing an effective tobacco taxation policy, increasing public awareness, and building support for stronger tobacco control measures. “Raising excise taxes on tobacco products is one of the most effective and scientifically validated strategies for protecting public health,” Checheybayev stated. “Tobacco remains far too affordable in Kyrgyzstan, contributing directly to the rise of non-communicable diseases. We are committed to systemic reform and look forward to the continued support of international partners.” Meeting participants agreed that a higher tobacco tax would not only yield billions in savings for the national healthcare system but also represent a critical investment in the health and future of Kyrgyzstan’s population. Reforming tobacco taxation policy could position Kyrgyzstan as a regional leader in the fight against smoking, setting an example for other Central Asian nations.

Healthcare

Central Asia Launches Joint Initiative to Eliminate Tuberculosis by 2030

All five Central Asian nations have launched a regional campaign titled “Central Asia Free of Tuberculosis” with the ambitious goal of eliminating tuberculosis (TB), including drug-resistant strains, across the region by 2030, according to Turkmenportal. The initiative is led by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and supported by international health organizations. Health ministers and senior officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan convened in Astana to formally launch the campaign and sign a joint declaration. The agreement outlines commitments to work closely with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Stop TB Partnership, the Global Fund, civil society organizations, and other partners. Over the past decade, the five countries have made significant strides in combating TB through the introduction of new treatments and improved disease surveillance systems. The new initiative aims to accelerate these efforts toward total eradication. Key Objectives of the Initiative Include: Testing Coverage: Ensure that at least 95% of all new and recurrent TB cases are diagnosed using rapid WHO-recommended diagnostic tools, which are already in place across the region. Treatment Expansion: Broaden access to shorter, injection-free treatments for drug-resistant TB, which have demonstrated success rates of over 85%. Vaccine Preparedness: Prepare national health systems for the rollout of new TB vaccines once they become available. Primary Healthcare Integration: Incorporate TB diagnosis and treatment into each country’s primary healthcare system, with support from WHO’s Primary Health Care Centre in Almaty. WHO Regional Director Dr. Hans Kluge commended the political leadership demonstrated by the Central Asian governments. He emphasized that the region is now closer than ever to achieving TB elimination but must sustain its commitment through continued investments and stigma-reduction efforts to ensure equitable access to care. The regional strategy is expected to yield significant results by 2027 and will serve as a framework for monitoring and accelerating progress toward TB elimination in Central Asia.

Infrastructure Development

Kyrgyz Government Adopts Strategic Task to Construct Eco-City

On October 14, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree to construct the eco-city "Asman" near the village of Toru-Aigyr on the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, the country's main region for tourism and recreation. Spanning 4,000 hectares, some 200km southeast of the capital Bishkek and dubbed a "smart city", Asman aims to become the country’s new economic and tourist hub and home to modern business, recreational and sports facilities, hi-tech parks, and financial institutions. It will also provide homes for around 500,000 residents. From a bird's eye view, Asman (the Kyrgyz word for "sky") will resemble a komuz, a traditional Kyrgyz string musical instrument and one of Kyrgyzstan's national symbols. According to Kyrgyz officials, the new city financed by foreign investors, will be built over the next 7-10 years but although the capsule-laying ceremony took place in June 2023, construction has yet to begin. Speaking at the ceremony, President Japarov remarked that “the city of Asman will become a financial hub connecting East and West, North and South.” As reported by the presidential press service, the construction of the eco-city is a “strategic task” for the country’s Cabinet of Ministers and local authorities of the Issyk-Kul region, with a key objective to protect the biosphere territory adjacent to the lake. According to the decree, the Cabinet of Ministers should develop and approve a concept for the construction of Asman by March 1, 2025, ensuring the preservation and protection of the environment during the city’s construction. It has also been recommended that a ban be placed in the city on hydrocarbon-fueled (gasoline, diesel, gas) transport in preference for electric transport and bicycles. For this purpose, the decree orders the creation of electric transport infrastructure and charging stations, as well as necessary conditions for the use of bicycles to ensure mobility of the city's population. In addition, the decree orders the use of energy-saving solutions and smart home technologies in the construction of buildings, and compliance with the World Health Organization's environmental standards for greening cities and introducing an environmentally safe waste management system. The realization of such a mega project has inevitably raised questions regarding finance, with construction costs currently estimated at around $20 billion. The Asman project shares similarities to the city of Arkadag in Turkmenistan. Unveiled in June 2023, the “smart” city of Arkadag was built from scratch 30 km south of Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat. Designed to accommodate a population of 70,000, it cost billions of dollars to construct.