In Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Health has begun integrating traditional and alternative medicine practices into the national healthcare system.
Medical services previously considered folk or alternative practices will now be provided under state-approved regulations. However, only licensed medical organizations and medically trained specialists will be allowed to provide these services.
The ministry has already approved a list of alternative and traditional medicine services, including:
- reflexology;
- manual therapy;
- su-jok therapy;
- hirudotherapy;
- phytotherapy;
- homeopathy.
In practice, this means the government will regulate treatment methods that were previously offered as private practices without uniform standards or oversight.
Previously, it was not uncommon for practitioners to offer alternative medicine services without formal qualifications. Under the new rules, however, providers will be required to obtain licenses.
Moreover, healthcare authorities will now have the right to inspect such institutions, monitor compliance with sanitary standards and review patient complaints. This is particularly important for procedures related to manual therapy or hirudotherapy, which can lead to complications if performed incorrectly.
Traditional medicine has been recognized as a separate discipline under Kazakhstan’s Health Code since 2020. The code defines it as methods of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation based on long-standing traditions and approved for medical use.
Similar systems exist in several other countries. For example, in China, Traditional Chinese Medicine is integrated into public hospitals and universities, while in India, the AYUSH system regulates Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy and other traditional practices.
However, many experts criticize certain forms of alternative medicine — particularly homeopathy — because of a lack of scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness.
