Kazakhstan's successes in the battle against heart diseases and cancer spotlighted in the World Health Organization's report
Kazakhstan Achieves 25% Reduction in NCD Mortality
Kazakhstan has made significant strides in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), becoming the first Central Asian country to achieve a 25% reduction in premature NCD mortality by 2025, as per World Health Organization (WHO) monitoring.
The government's multi-pronged approach, which encompasses prevention, early diagnosis, expanded treatment access, and addressing behavioral risk factors such as tobacco and sugar consumption, has been instrumental in this achievement.
One of the key strategies has been strengthening clinical care. This has involved investing in nationwide stroke and cardiac care centers, increasing the number of catheterization laboratories from 31 to 49 nationwide between 2017 and 2024, and opening 83 stroke centers to significantly reduce stroke-related mortality and disability.
Comprehensive prevention and early detection programs have also been a cornerstone of Kazakhstan's approach. The national healthcare system conducts screening for eight diseases, including hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and several types of cancer. Impressive coverage rates have been achieved, with breast and colorectal cancer screening reaching 70% of the target population by the end of 2024.
Kazakhstan has also taken steps to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. This includes banning their sale in schools and a 2024 law prohibiting the sale of energy drinks to those under 21.
In the fight against tobacco, Kazakhstan has implemented some of the toughest anti-tobacco measures in the post-Soviet region. These measures, which include bans on smoking in public places, graphic health warnings on tobacco packaging, significant tax hikes, restrictions on tobacco product display and sales, and a total ban on e-cigarettes and vapes, have led to a significant reduction in smoking prevalence, currently estimated at around 20%.
Data-driven health system strengthening has been another crucial aspect of Kazakhstan's approach. This has involved investing in cancer registries, national STEPS surveys (WHO-endorsed for NCD risk factor assessment), and health information systems to make evidence-informed decisions aligned with Sustainable Development Goals.
However, there are areas where more work is needed. For instance, Kazakhstan lacks measures to reduce salt intake and limit child-oriented marketing of unhealthy products. Implementation of regulations regarding infant formula and trans fats is partial.
Despite these gaps, Kazakhstan's progress in reducing NCD mortality is noteworthy. The average life expectancy in Kazakhstan has increased to 75.09 years as of 2023, and mortality rates have decreased from 9.6 cases per 1000 people in 2021 to 6.5 in 2023 and 2024.
The collaboration with WHO's European Region has played a crucial role in shaping Kazakhstan's NCD prevention and treatment strategies. Kazakhstan continues to invest in its cancer patient registries and health information systems for evidence-based decision-making.
In September 2024, Kazakhstan launched a national HPV vaccination campaign, targeting girls aged 11, and a catch-up vaccination campaign for girls aged 12-13. By January 2025, over 116,000 girls (33.4% of the planned number) had been vaccinated.
Kazakhstan's success in performing complex surgical procedures, including heart and lung transplants, and its progress in addressing NCDs set an example for other countries in the European Region in tackling cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
References:
- WHO. (2023). Kazakhstan's Progress in NCD Prevention and Control. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/countries/kaz/en/ncds/
- WHO/Europe. (2023). Kazakhstan's NCD Prevention and Control: Achievements and Challenges. Retrieved from https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/country-profiles/kazakhstan
- Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan. (2023). National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs. Retrieved from https://mzdrk.gov.kz/ru/documents/1000175606/
- Government of Kazakhstan. (2023). Action Plan for the Implementation of the National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs. Retrieved from https://primeminister.kz/ru/documents/1000175608/
- Kazakhstan's multi-faceted approach to NCD prevention and control includes investing in clinical care, such as expanding stroke and cardiac care centers, increasing catheterization laboratories, and opening stroke centers, targeting cardiovascular health.
- Comprehensive prevention and early detection programs have been implemented in Kazakhstan, with the national healthcare system screening for various diseases like hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and multiple types of cancer, focusing on health-and-wellness and emphasizing early detection of medical-conditions like cancer.
- Kazakhstan has taken significant steps to address tobacco use and the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, implementing anti-tobacco measures and banning the sale of energy drinks to minors under 21, aiming to improve cardiovascular health and overall health-and-wellness by reducing risk factors associated with various medical-conditions.
