Kazakh MP slams billions in healthcare spending on foreigners

Billions of tenge from Kazakhstan’s state budget have been spent on medical treatment for foreign nationals, Kazakh lawmaker Murat Abenov said on the sidelines of a recent parliamentary session. He also criticized government plans to restore remote applications for Individual Identification Numbers (IINs) for foreigners.

According to Abenov, 3.5 billion tenge (approximately $7 million) from the state budget has been spent on treating foreigners in the North Kazakhstan Region alone. He attributed the expense to insufficient digitalization and weak oversight.

«Essentially, foreigners arriving from neighboring countries are using our healthcare system for free. I ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs and border authorities: Do you know where these people are?» the lawmaker said.

Criticism of remote IIN applications

Abenov also raised concerns about the online issuance of IINs to foreign citizens. He noted that the option was abolished two years ago but claimed the government has decided to reinstate it.

«Obtaining an IIN remotely creates opportunities to defraud our budget, avoid paying taxes, open bank accounts and access public funds allocated for healthcare and education, all for the benefit of foreigners. This is wrong,» he said.

Call for tighter controls

Abenov further criticized the government for what he described as an overly lenient approach toward foreigners.

«Instead of tightening controls and restoring order, our government is opening the gates,» the MP said.

Notably, Kursiv.media previously reported that approximately 80,000 foreign nationals traveled to Kazakhstan for medical treatment in 2025.