Kazakhstan to Lead Emergency Medicine Collaboration Among Turkic States
Health ministers of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) gathered in Astana on April 7 to sign a memorandum that will enhance emergency medical services in the region. The memorandum aims to transform Kazakhstan’s National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine into a comprehensive platform for cooperation among member states.
Under this new agreement, the center will play a crucial role in ensuring timely delivery of emergency medical care during crisis situations such as pandemics and man-made disasters. This initiative reflects a commitment to enhancing the region’s emergency response capabilities and promoting collaboration in the field of healthcare.
Kazakh Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova highlighted the country’s air ambulance service, which currently conducts over 2,000 flights annually to transport patients within Kazakhstan and abroad. The minister announced plans for the first international air ambulance flight to South Korea for a critically ill patient who will be transferred to a clinic in Almaty. Notably, Kazakhstan’s air ambulance services are state-funded and free of charge, saving many lives in the process.
Yerzhan Adilbekov, chairman of the transformed center, emphasized its role as a hub for joint training activities for OTS specialists. The center will host masterclasses and training sessions for emergency doctors to enhance their skills and align with global medical standards. Additionally, the center aims to expand its services to include emergency care in obstetrics, toxicology, and other specialized fields.
The multifunctional center coordinates various medical services, including medical aviation, ambulance services, and hospital admissions. It boasts a 250-bed hospital and nine clinical centers, offering comprehensive inpatient care, air medical transport, and clinical diagnostics. This transformation signifies a significant step towards strengthening emergency healthcare services in the region and ensuring the well-being of all citizens.
