At the meeting, issues of improving the quality of health care and lowering prices for medicines and services, as well as the process of digitization of the industry were discussed. In total, about 200 representatives of medical organizations, non-governmental and public associations, employees of central state and local executive bodies took part in the meeting.

Participants exchanged views on the further development of the industry. In particular, the president of the Aman-Saulyk public fund B. Tumenova spoke about the role of NGOs as a partner of the state in addressing the contemporary challenges of domestic health care. Deputy Akim of the West Kazakhstan Region B. Konysbaeva, Chief Physician of Polyclinic No. 3 of Semey N. Almenova and Chief Doctor of the Central District Hospital of North Kazakhstan Region S. Amrina shared their experience in implementing measures in the regions to improve the availability and quality of primary healthcare. The digitalization of the health care system was given attention by the chairman of the ICT Сommittee of Atameken NCE B. Basheyev. Head of the Karaganda Regional Health Department E. Nurlybaev, in turn, announced the region’s readiness to switch to paperless medical records from Jan. 1, 2019. Chairman of the Association of Family Physicians of Kazakhstan D. Nugmanova devoted her presentation to enhancing the role of general practitioners in order to improve quality medical care of the population.

Director General of the National Center for Expertise of Medicinal Products, Devices and Equipment A. Shoranova reported on the ongoing work on the regulation of prices for medicinal products and their sale. Head of the Center for Health Economics Z. Temekova informed about the analysis and modern approaches to the regulation of prices for paid services.

Minister of Healthcare Y. Birtanov, in turn, reported on the measures taken to fulfill the tasks set in the Presidential Address. So, in order to improve the primary outpatient service in 2017-2018. Approaches to screening were revised: coverage was expanded in age groups from 40 to 70 years; Disease Management Programs were introduced to cover more than 170 thousand patients and reduce hospitalization in these groups by 2.5 times, the introduction of an online appointment for a local doctor.

It was noted that in order to reduce the medical burden, the number of sites was gradually increased. As a result, the burden on a single physician is reduced by 8.3%. At the same time, the per capita standard grew by 20%. Primary care financing amounted to 42% of the amount of guaranteed free medical care.

In addition, as part of the execution of the Head of State’s Address, a mechanism of a 20% salary increase for local health workers was approved. More than 1 thousand medical workers have been trained in new approaches to disease management. In general, more than 5 billion tenge has been allocated for the increase in wages for health workers. The increase will also affect low-wage categories of healthcare workers. For this, more than 27 billion tenge will be allocated. Thus, more than 37 thousand medical workers of polyclinics and 191 thousand low-paid employees of medical organizations will receive higher salaries.

In order to develop the standards of ambulance and hospital admissions, new rules for the provision of emergency medical care were adopted, GPS navigation equipment was provided, international standards for emergency care were provided and vehicles were redesigned. As a result of the measures taken, according to the Ministry of Healthcare, the average speed of arrival was reduced from 25 minutes in 2017 to 18 minutes in 2018.

As a result of the discussion, the Ministry of Healthcare was entrusted with considering all the proposals voiced during the meeting.