In the East Kazakhstan Region, an acute shortage of medical staff is being recorded, which remains one of the key factors limiting the accessibility and quality of medical care for the population. This was reported by the deputy head of the East Kazakhstan Region health department, Ainash Kapanova.
According to MIA 'Kazinform', she noted that the region requires approximately 150 specialists. The most in-demand roles are paediatricians, anaesthesiologists-resuscitators, obstetricians-gynaecologists, and general practitioners.
At the same time, the workload on existing medical workers remains high. According to the health department representative, work continues in the region to improve the quality of medical care, including the development of prevention, early diagnosis, reducing morbidity and mortality rates, as well as the modernisation of infrastructure.
"Over the nine months of this year, medical workers have carried out around 10,000 preventive measures, covering 69,230 residents of the region," said Ainash Kapanova.
According to the department, the region has seen a reduction in cases of viral hepatitis B and tuberculosis. No cases of maternal mortality were registered during the year.
As part of the national project 'Modernisation of Rural Healthcare', this year the East Kazakhstan Region has commissioned 35 new medical facilities, with one more expected to be completed by the end of the year. The level of equipment provision in medical organisations has reached 87.5%.
At the same time, specialists note that without a systematic solution to the staffing issue, infrastructure changes cannot fully meet the needs of the population, especially in rural areas and at the primary healthcare level.
It should be recalled that earlier, paramedics and drivers of the Taldykorgan ambulance service recorded a video address to President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Minister of Health Akkmaral Alnazarova. They highlighted difficult working conditions and the need for systemic changes in the service's operations.
According to the paramedics, the level of pay does not correspond to their physical and psychological workload, and the shortage of doctors means that a significant portion of duties falls on middle-level staff.