According to the press service of the Ministry of Health, the board meeting was chaired by Minister Kanaybek Dosmambetov.
During the meeting, an analysis of the main areas of the ministry's activities over the past year was presented, including the implementation of state programs, the development of human resources, issues of financing, infrastructure modernization, digitalization, regulatory and legal regulation, and cooperation with international partners.
“The aspects of improving the quality of primary healthcare, staffing in the regions, sanitary and epidemiological safety, and providing the population with medicines were discussed,” the statement said.
Kanaybek Dosmambetov noted that 2025 was a year of both positive results and serious challenges for the healthcare system. He emphasized that healthcare remains a key priority of state policy and that for the sustainable development of the sector, it is necessary to renew approaches to management, prevention, and staffing.
“In the republic, a decrease in infant mortality has been recorded, which amounted to 13.5 per 1,000 live births, which is 4.2% lower than in the previous year. The main causes of infant mortality remain unchanged: perinatal diseases are in first place (65.7% of cases), followed by congenital anomalies (15.5%) and respiratory diseases (8.2%). However, there is a 28.1% increase in infectious and parasitic diseases,” the ministry noted.
However, there was also an increase in maternal mortality: in 2025, 48 cases were registered (34.8 per 100,000 live births), which is 35.4% higher compared to 2024 (a figure of 25.7 or 36 cases).
The minister emphasized that maternal and child mortality are important indicators of the state of the healthcare system and should be a focus, as it concerns saving the lives of women and newborns.
The increase in maternal mortality was described by the minister as “a serious signal for management decisions” and he instructed to urgently develop a set of necessary measures within a week. He emphasized the need to revise standards for antenatal care, improve communication between primary care and hospitals, as well as strict routing of pregnant women from high-risk groups. There is also a need to strengthen telemedicine consultations and implement prenatal screening.
“Preventing complications, timely hospitalization, and access to qualified care must become our main priorities,” noted Dosmambetov.
The minister also pointed out problems with infrastructure wear and tear, management overload, and staff turnover, but noted that there is significant professional potential within the system.
His strategic vision is to create a managed, modern, and sustainable healthcare system based on prevention, clinical management, and accountability for results.
According to him, the sector must shift from reacting to problems to preventing them, ensuring equal efficiency of work in the capital and in the regions.
The minister also spoke about the steps taken to improve human resources, including salary increases, creating conditions for housing provision, supporting doctors in the regions, developing international training programs, and opportunities for the return of specialists from abroad.
During the board meeting, priorities for work in 2026 were defined.
Kanaybek Dosmambetov outlined the areas of modernization, including updating medical infrastructure, ensuring the population has access to affordable and quality medicines and medical products, as well as strengthening human resources.
Key tasks for 2026 also include reducing maternal and infant mortality, revising the treatment program for cancer patients with a focus on the accessibility of diagnostics and therapy, as well as reducing mortality from cardiovascular diseases through improved primary healthcare and prevention.
According to the minister, prevention should mean a shift from treating diseases to forming a healthy society. This includes not only early detection but also promoting a healthy lifestyle, preventing risk factors, and increasing citizens' responsibility for their own health. He also specifically noted the importance of vaccination as a measure to protect children from controlled infections and the need to strengthen public trust in immunization and improve its quality, emphasizing that vaccination is an investment in the health of children and future generations.
The minister also added that oncology and cardiovascular diseases require a comprehensive approach at all stages—from prevention and screening to specialized care and rehabilitation.
Plans for 2026 also include the implementation of a new state laboratory service, updating clinical protocols, improving quality control and financial discipline, as well as developing digital solutions to ensure transparency of processes and effective management of the system.
