Kazakhstan’s healthcare reforms have drawn international praise. The head of the World Health Organization has welcomed President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s commitment to higher salaries for more than 77,000 medical professionals, linking the decision to Kazakhstan’s longstanding role in promoting healthcare for all, DKNews.kz reports.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the country’s healthcare priorities in a Facebook post, praising its focus on primary healthcare, stronger support for medical workers and greater access to essential services.
More than 77,000 healthcare workers to benefit from pay increases
At the centre of the WHO chief’s remarks is a government initiative that directly affects tens of thousands of healthcare professionals across Kazakhstan.
President Tokayev has instructed the government to increase salaries for district-level primary healthcare specialists by up to 40% from January 1, 2027, depending on their length of continuous service.
According to the President’s official address, the measure is expected to increase the incomes of more than 77,000 specialists.
For doctors, nurses and other frontline medical professionals, the initiative represents a planned increase in earnings. The actual amount will vary depending on employment history and the applicable salary arrangements.
The policy also puts greater emphasis on retaining experienced staff in the primary healthcare system, where patients typically make their first contact with medical services.
Why the WHO is focusing on primary healthcare
Tedros welcomed Kazakhstan’s broader approach to strengthening healthcare services, rather than focusing exclusively on salary increases.
The reforms include additional investment in primary healthcare, expanding the responsibilities of general practitioners and providing stronger support for medical personnel.
Primary healthcare plays a central role in everyday medical services, from initial consultations and preventive care to monitoring patients with long-term conditions.
Strengthening this part of the system can help improve access to medical attention before patients require more specialised treatment.
For Kazakhstan, the emphasis is particularly relevant to local clinics and district-level healthcare facilities, where general practitioners and nursing staff provide essential services.
The WHO chief linked these priorities to the wider international goal of making quality healthcare accessible to everyone.
Kazakhstan’s 1978 declaration returns to the global spotlight
The international recognition also carries historical significance.
In 1978, representatives of countries gathered in Alma-Ata, now Almaty, for a landmark international conference on primary healthcare.
The resulting Alma-Ata Declaration established primary healthcare as a fundamental component of the global commitment to Health for All.
Almost half a century later, that vision remains closely associated with Kazakhstan’s contribution to international health policy.
The declaration’s 50th anniversary will be marked in 2028, bringing renewed attention to the principles adopted in Kazakhstan.
Tedros pointed to the approaching anniversary while highlighting the country’s current healthcare initiatives.
His message connects Kazakhstan’s historical contribution to global healthcare policy with its present-day efforts to strengthen medical services.
International recognition comes ahead of the 2028 anniversary
The WHO Director-General emphasised that political commitment is essential for improving healthcare systems.
He thanked Kazakhstan for demonstrating how the principles of universal access to healthcare can be reflected in national policy.
“Political commitment to health matters greatly. Thank you, Kazakhstan, for setting an example!” — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus wrote, according to the statement provided.
The recognition comes as Kazakhstan prepares for the 50th anniversary of a declaration that helped shape the international approach to primary healthcare.
However, the practical results of the latest reforms will depend on their implementation, including whether planned salary increases and additional investment translate into more accessible and higher-quality services.
For more than 77,000 healthcare professionals, the next concrete milestone is January 1, 2027, when the new pay measures are scheduled to take effect.
The broader healthcare agenda has also featured in Kazakhstan’s international partnerships. Earlier, we reported on Kazakhstan and Belgium’s plans to strengthen cooperation in healthcare, including their shared commitment to the Alma-Ata and Astana declarations and the development of primary healthcare services.
