In a significant stride toward improving healthcare infrastructure in Kazakhstan, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov has announced plans to construct 20 state-of-the-art multidisciplinary hospitals through private investments. The announcement came during a meeting of the Council for Improvement of Investment Climate, where key stakeholders from government bodies, international organizations, and pharmaceutical giants were in attendance to discuss the future of the country's healthcare sector.
The event, chaired by Prime Minister Smailov, was graced by the presence of several foreign dignitaries, including British Ambassador to Kazakhstan Kathy Leach, Canadian Ambassador Alan Hamson, and U.S. Ambassador Daniel Rosenblum. Representatives from the World Bank, Citibank for Kazakhstan, Ernst & Young, AstraZeneca, Janssen, and Pfizer also participated, underscoring the global interest in Kazakhstan's healthcare development.
The discussions delved into various aspects of healthcare advancement, encompassing the integration of modern medical technologies, the modernization of healthcare infrastructure, the training of highly qualified medical professionals, and the expansion of the pharmaceutical industry. Among the central themes were enhancing public access to innovative medicines and extending medical services to residents of remote regions.
Prime Minister Smailov underscored the sweeping healthcare reforms that Kazakhstan has undergone in recent years, emphasizing the creation of the Unified National Health System, the introduction of compulsory medical insurance, the growth of telemedicine services, improved procurement processes for medical equipment and medicines, and substantial salary increases for healthcare professionals.
"In general, the Government is working to create a sustainable model for the development of this sphere with the aim of allocating 5% of GDP to healthcare by 2027. In this regard, we are interested in attracting investments and advanced technologies," noted Prime Minister Smailov.
The government's efforts have evidently boosted the industry's investment appeal, with a nearly 30% increase in investments in fixed healthcare assets, totaling approximately $540mn by the end of the previous year. Additionally, the pharmaceutical market has expanded 2.9-fold in the past seven years.
To further enhance medical infrastructure, President Tokayev's directive envisions the construction of 20 modern multidisciplinary hospitals with private investments. This initiative aligns with the national project "Modernization of rural health care," which aims to commission 655 primary healthcare facilities and modernize 32 multidisciplinary district hospitals.
Prime Minister Smailov also highlighted the government's collaboration with major global pharmaceutical companies, offering state support packages. Notably, an Investment Agreement with Pfizer is in the works for the localization of medicine production. Similarly, an agreement with AstraZeneca has been reached for contract manufacturing of original medicines, involving an investment of $32mn.
The visit of President Tokayev to the United States resulted in a framework agreement with GE Healthcare for the localization of medical equipment production worth $60mn. Additionally, multiple projects involving a $2.5mn investment from Roche are currently in various stages of implementation. The government is actively exploring contract manufacturing projects with investors from South Korea, Turkey, Egypt, and Israel.
In addition, Prime Minister Smailov emphasized the enormous potential for further development in the healthcare sector, particularly the pharmaceutical industry, amid growing demand for medicines. He called upon the relevant state bodies to work diligently on the proposals and recommendations discussed during the meeting to propel Kazakhstan's healthcare sector into a new era of excellence.
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