Kazakhstan to allocate $474.7 million for health care in rural areas

Health Minister of Kazakhstan Azhar Giniyat presented the new national project Modernization of Health Care in Rural Areas. The project will require $474.7 million from the state budget, according to the official.

Given that more than 50% of all primary health-care buildings are worn out, this money will help to improve this situation.

«We are cooperating with local authorities and have already prepared documents for 655 buildings for primary healthcare, including 253 first-aid posts, 160 outpatient clinics and 242 rural health posts,» said Giniyat.

Moreover, the government wants to organize 32 new multifunctional district hospitals.

It is expected that the project will increase access of about four million people in rural areas to professional medical checkups and screenings. This must help to reduce the number of deaths from cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular incidents and injuries.

On the other hand, health workers will receive better work conditions and new equipment. Also, they will have a chance to level up their qualification and get a higher salary.

From the government’s point of view, these measures may increase the expectancy of life and improve the social well-being of the people.

«This project implies a set of measures aimed at facilitating residents of rural areas in getting access to high-quality healthcare. That’s why I suggest approving this national project,» said Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov.

The Health Ministry now has to work in conjunction with other interested public agencies and local authorities to make the project come true. Serik Zhumangarin, vice prime minister of Kazakhstan, has been named the person responsible for the entire project.

The ministry came up with the idea of the project in September when it said that about four million people living in rural areas have lower access to quality healthcare compared to people in big cities. In order to cut this difference between the urban and rural areas in terms of access to medical assistance, the agency suggested constructing new hospitals and supporting health-care workers interested in working in these rural areas.