Ministry of Healthcare of Kazakhstan: about the modernization of oncological services

At May 15, 2024 a meeting of the board of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held, where the issue of efficiency and the need to modernize the work of the oncology service was discussed. As noted at the meeting, despite a significant increase in costs for oncological care, the efficiency of the service remains insufficient, namely, as the minister emphasized, “patient focus has not been achieved.” Thus, more than 70% of patients are detected in late stages of the disease, which indicates insufficient attention to prevention and early diagnosis. The “green corridor” system for patients with suspected cancer at the primary level does not function fully. As noted, almost 80 thousand people with cancer suspicion were left without proper attention, which indicates violations of the terms of pre-examination. According to statistics, in 2023, of the patients subject to special treatment, only 55% completed it.

In this regard, during the meeting measures to improve the efficiency of the service were also announced. Thus, given that currently one of the priority methods for diagnosing cancer and other diseases is positron emission tomography (PET), combined with computed tomography (CT), to expand the availability of PET studies, it is planned to open an additional nuclear medicine center in the west of the country, while today in Kazakhstan there are 7 centers with 10 PET/CT machines in the cities of Astana, Almaty, Semey and Shymkent.

In addition, it is planned to expand the production of radiopharmaceuticals (RPs) in the coming years. Since 2008, only one universal radiopharmaceutical has been produced in the country - fluorodeoxyglucose. It is planned to establish the production of six more types of radiopharmaceuticals, which will significantly expand the possibilities for diagnosing and treating not only oncopathology, but also cardiac and neurological diseases.

Particular attention will be paid to the availability of radionuclide therapy. Currently, it is carried out only for thyroid diseases at the Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology in Semey. In the future, it is planned to open additional beds for radionuclide therapy in Astana on the basis of the National Scientific Oncology Center.

It is also planned to create a single coordinating center to ensure transparent distribution of priority for PET studies and radioiodine therapy, which will make it possible to more effectively organize and ensure accessibility of medical services for all citizens.

Thus, the proposed specific measures to modernize the oncological service in the country are designed to increase the efficiency, accessibility and quality of medical care for all citizens.

Department of Health Policy and Organization, PhD: Balmukhanova A.M.