“In 2024, the shortage of doctors decreased by 19% – from 4,864 to 3,954 specialists, while the deficit of mid-level medical personnel fell by 7%, from 4,820 to 4,505 workers. The most in-demand specialists continue to be therapists, general practitioners, obstetricians-gynecologists, anesthesiologists-resuscitators, surgeons, and pediatricians,” the report states.
The Ministry of Health believes that the reduction in the deficit, although modest, is still an achievement that resulted from specific reforms in the healthcare system.
“For the legal protection of medical workers, a Law on Professional Liability Insurance has been adopted. Additionally, the Ministry of Health has increased the quotas for training narrow specialists from 1,500 to 2,500 places and is implementing a National Personnel Accounting System (SUR 2.0) for the even distribution of specialists across regions,” the ministry emphasized.
Moreover, according to officials, social support measures in rural areas have played a significant role. To date, one-time payments have been made to 207 medical workers in critically needed specialties.
“Furthermore, social support measures have been provided to 544 doctors who have arrived for permanent positions, including 226 graduates from 2024,” the agency reported.
“Kursiv” reported last year that the average salary of doctors in Kazakhstan decreased to 450,000 tenge. In 2023, the salary of doctors was 519,000 tenge. In 2022, the figure exceeded 420,000 tenge, according to the former Minister of Health Azhar Giniyat.
In January, Majilis member Irina Smirnova requested then Deputy Minister Tamara Duysenova not to reduce the number of pediatric psychiatrists and neurologists in special educational institutions in Kazakhstan. She reminded that previously, when the country eliminated pediatricians, they were later forced to reinstate them.