International childhood cancer treatment hub to be established in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan have agreed to establish an international academic hub for diagnosing and treating childhood cancers. This announcement was made at a conference on child health in Central Asia held in Tashkent, according to the Ministry of Healthcare of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan’s Minister of Healthcare Akmaral Alnazarova held talks with her Uzbek counterpart Asilbek Khudayarov on developing joint healthcare projects, sharing expertise and improving the quality of treatment. Among the key topics discussed was the environmental impact on human health, particularly in the area surrounding the Aral Sea.

Kazakhstan proposed taking the lead in establishing a hub that will serve as an international platform for cooperation on childhood cancer treatment. Alnazarova emphasized that the country already utilizes state-of-the-art technologies, ranging from high-precision diagnostics to conservative surgery.

«As early as this October, the Proton Center, capable of serving 800 patients annually, will be launched at the National Research Oncology Center in Astana. Radioactive iodine therapy is planned for children and patients from across Central Asia,» the minister stated.

Moreover, Kazakhstan is poised to develop other areas, including hubs for adult cancers, oncohematology and heart surgery for children. The latter is expected to receive young patients from Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed to hold Kazakhstan’s Healthcare Days in Uzbekistan this year, with a reciprocal event to take place in Kazakhstan next year.

Earlier this month, the Zhambyl region gained access to rapid histological analysis, enabling doctors to determine whether a tumor is benign or malignant within 15 to 20 minutes.