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Kazakhstan Expat Health Insurance

Kazakhstan, officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is located in central Asia to the south of Russia and northwest of China. Kazakhstan’s territory covers 2,727,300 square kilometers which makes it the ninth largest country in the world. Kazakhstan shares borders with China, Russia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and part of the Caspian Sea and this vast country comprises flat lands, hills, deltas, high mountains and desert. With a total population of just 16.4 million people, Kazakhstan has a population density of less than six people per square kilometer. Ethnically and culturally diverse, Kazakhstan is home to 131 ethnic groups and approximately 50 percent of the population is Muslim.

Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union until 1991 when it declared independence, becoming the last former Soviet Republic to do so. Following independence, Kazakhstan adopted a multivector foreign policy which looked towards positive relations with both east and west and began developing its abundant natural resources of uranium, natural gas and oil. It is predicted that by 2015 Kazakhstan will be among the top ten oil producing nations in the world. The Kazakh economy has seen impressive economic growth in recent years as energy surpassed agriculture to become the country’s leading economic sector.

Kazakhstan Healthcare System

Kazakhstan has encountered similar challenges to those faced by countries from the former Soviet Union, namely government restructuring, policy changes and funding restrictions. The health care system was one such area to suffer with oversized health facilities and a reduction in financing during the early transition years. Some failed policies include the introduction of a mandatory Health Insurance Fund in 1996 which was disbanded just two years later. As Kazakhstan began experiencing strong economic development, the Ministry of Health developed a National Program of Health Care Reform and Development for the period 2005 – 2010. In reality, the program contains ambitious targets and little has changed since its introduction. Kazakhstan’s health care system remains blighted by poor quality and inefficient health services, uneven distribution of health care workers between urban and rural areas and inequities in relation to health financing between rural regions and large cities and towns.

In comparison to international medical standards, Kazakhstan’s health care system is considered primitive. Modern technology, pharmaceutical advances, medicines, drugs and specialist services that expatriates would take for granted in their home country are not available in Kazakhstan. Aware that the delivery of primary level health care services was sub-standard, the Ministry of Health introduced a Partnership for Health Reform which privatized some primary health care providers. Private facilities can now offer improved services and care although at a significantly greater cost. These facilities are generally located in the capital city Astana and in Almaty. Expatriates wishing to avail of private medical facilities in Kazakhstan should be aware that they will be required to pay at the time of any treatment received. As such, purchasing Kazakhstan health insurance is strongly recommended.

Several health indicators accurately depict the current state of Kazakhstan’s health care system. Average life expectancy rates have remained below the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) average. Life expectancy dropped from 68.1 years in 1990 to 64.4 years in 1996 before increasing again to 65.9 years in 2005. Reliable statistics for infant and child mortality are unavailable as the criteria under the former Soviet regime differs from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended criteria. The WHO estimates the 2005 figure to be 15.1 deaths per 1,000 live births. Incidents of Tuberculosis have almost tripled from 60.9 per 100,000 people in 1993 to 175.6 in 2004. Pollution, poor sanitation, overcrowding in cities and sub standard health care are the main contributors to the rise in Tuberculosis infection rates.

Kazakhstan’s health care system is probably best described as being in transition. In recent years, as the country’s GDP increases the funding allocated to health care is also expected to increase. In 2000, health care expenditure as a percentage of GDP was 2 percent; this is expected to increase to 4 percent by 2010. In common with policy prior to independence, hospital services traditionally received the bulk of health care funding, in some years as high as 85 percent of the total health expenditure. The need to prioritize primary health care over inpatient services is now one of the country’s main health policies. Rural and remote medical facilities are basic and are currently only capable of providing standard medical treatment. It is envisaged that with a refocus of funding away from the main hospitals, citizens living outside the main population areas will have improved access to a better standard of health care.

While general crime levels in Kazakhstan are low, expatriates should be aware that there is a general threat of terrorism throughout the country. Some Islamic terrorist groups based in central Asia have many supporters and followers inside the region that are capable of carrying out attacks against western interests and citizens. Expatriates and visitors to Kazakhstan are required to be in possession of their passport at all times and identification checks by the police are common. Certain areas of the country have restricted access, particularly those near military installations and areas close to the border with China. Corruption amongst public officials, including police officers, is common. Expatriates are advised to consult with supervisors or with their Embassy before agreeing to pay on the spot fines.

Kazakhstan Expat Health Insurance

Kazakhstan’s medical facilities are well below the high standards many expatriates are accustomed to. In the event of an accident or serious illness, potential shortages of medicine and specialist personnel could mean that an emergency evacuation to Western Europe may be necessary. Expatriates and their families are strongly advised to purchase Kazakhstan expat health insurance that contains a provision for international medical evacuation. For more information on Kazakhstan expatriate health insurance or to receive a free international medical insurance quote, please contact a Global Health Insurance adviser today.

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