Kazakhstan’s Minister of Health, Akmaral Alnazarova, took part in the high-level conference “Dialogue for Children: Central Asia and UNICEF” held in Tashkent. During her address, the Minister presented Kazakhstan’s initiatives to safeguard children’s health, well-being, and rights.
Kazakhstan is home to 7 million children, all of whom are prioritized within the national healthcare system from birth. The rights of children in Kazakhstan are upheld through 16 international treaties.
In alignment with the right to education, the country is actively developing inclusive and special education systems. Legislation on inclusive education mandates the creation of tailored learning conditions for children with special educational needs.
“Currently, over 90% of schools provide inclusive environments, including barrier-free access and specialized teaching staff,” Alnazarova noted.
Since 2023, all primary school students in Kazakhstan receive free hot meals. In April 2025, a new school nutrition standard was adopted to promote healthy eating, including reduced salt and sugar intake.
Child protection is also being strengthened. Administrative penalties for bullying have been introduced as part of the national anti-bullying program DOSBOLLiKe.
Medical care for all 7 million children is provided free of charge under the Guaranteed Volume of Medical Care (GVMC) and the Compulsory Social Health Insurance (CSHI) system. Overall funding for pediatric healthcare has more than doubled, from 264 billion to 575.4 billion tenge. Kazakhstan has implemented systems for home visits, screenings, and fetal medicine, and is launching Child Development and Early Intervention Centers.
Oncohematology services for children are expanding, along with infrastructure improvements for pediatric cancer care. In October 2025, a Proton Therapy Center will open in Astana, designed to treat over 300 patients annually, including those from other Central Asian countries.
“By order of the Head of State, a Comprehensive Plan for the Fight Against Cancer has been approved, focusing on enhancing medical infrastructure, improving drug access, and exploring the creation of a National Pediatric Oncohematology Center. The five-year survival rate for children with oncohematological diseases in Kazakhstan exceeds 75%,” Alnazarova stated.
The Minister emphasized that a systemic approach to child healthcare is impossible without strong intersectoral and international cooperation. Kazakhstan is ready to share its experience and strengthen partnerships with regional countries and international organizations.
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