Kazakhstan, Astana, Dec. 29 / Trend K. Konyrova /
Over 2500 Kazakh people could only get medical services abroad this year, the chairman of the National Medical Holding Elzhan Birtanov reported.
"Over 2500 people could get such complex and costly operations, for which they would definitely have had to fly abroad," Mr Birtanov said.
According to official statistics, approximately $200 million flew abroad where wealthy Kazakh people get medical services. In a specialist's opinion, there are two ways they could remain at home: first - to raise the standard of quality domestic medicine, second - to introduce up-to-date developments in the country.
"All the reasons were analysed during creation of the National Medical Holding in 2008, but at the same time the rate has been made to ensure that our medical services were available to most Kazakh people and not only those who have the finances to take opportunities of medical tourism," Mr Birtanov noted.
First of all focus was made on transferring the up-to-date achievements of medicine to Kazakhstan. Real progress is being observed each year. Thus, if only five up-to-date technologies were introduced in the first year of the National Medical Holding's operation, where 47 Kazakh people's lives were saved, in 2009 - eight technologies and 505 patients were saved and this indicator went up 57 in 2011, where complex operations for 2592 patients were carried out.
"The question is about such operations which were carried out for the first time in Kazakhstan. An implant of an artificial left ventricle in patients with terminal chronic heart failure, a bone marrow transplantation in adults, as well as renal transplantation," Mr Birtanov said.
According to Mr Birtanov, the introduction of 53 innovative technologies that could save 3126 Kazakh people is planned for next year. The centre intends to offer such surgeries as heart transplantation and stem cell transplantation for acute leukaemia in children.
"The National Centre air ambulance began operating from the National Medical Holding base in 2011," Mr Birtanov underlined. "300 sorties for heavy patients to save their lives is real evidence of the revival of the domestic air ambulance. At least two flights per day will be implemented next year."
