What is medical tourism and why has it become a global trend?
Medical tourism is a combination of healthcare and tourism in which patients travel to another country to receive high—quality treatment or more affordable prices. In recent years, this area has become a global trend due to the availability of air travel, rising prices for medicine in Western countries and the development of technology. Kazakhstan, and especially its capital Astana, are confidently integrating into this market, offering unique advantages.
Kazakhstan on the map of medical tourism
The history of medical tourism in Kazakhstan, in particular in Astana, began with an emphasis on the development of high-tech medicine and the creation of conditions conducive not only to retaining patients within the country, but also to attracting foreign citizens seeking quality treatment. In 2007, a Harvard Medical International study showed that Kazakhstanis spend about $200 million annually on medical treatment abroad. This became an impetus for local authorities and medical institutions, which began to actively develop medical technologies and improve infrastructure in order to meet the needs of their citizens and make Kazakhstan attractive to international patients.
Since 2013, Kazakhstan has been moving towards international recognition of medical institutions, including obtaining JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation. This step was important for increasing the attractiveness of domestic clinics for foreign patients, as it confirmed their compliance with international standards.
Milestones in the development of medical tourism in Astana
The key stages in the development of Astana as a center of medical tourism were not only achievements in the field of medicine, but also a number of measures taken, which significantly increased the reputation of the capital in the international tourism arena. The Astana Development Center, a subordinate organization of the Astana Akimat's Office of Investment and Entrepreneurship Development, has been actively promoting the direction since 2022, raising awareness of receiving medical services both among its citizens and among foreign potential medical tourists.
In 2023, Astana noted a noticeable increase in the number of foreign patients: during the year, their number doubled compared to the previous year. If in 2022 the city received 561 foreign patients, then in 2023 it will receive 2,270 people. This indicates a growing trust in local clinics and services.
Why choose Astana?
Astana attracts medical tourists with high-quality medical services provided by modern institutions accredited according to JCI international standards. In Kazakhstan, only 9 clinics have such accreditation, of which 7 are located in Astana. The city has become a center offering a wide range of services in the fields of neurosurgery, cardiac surgery, transplantation, diagnosis and rehabilitation, as well as oncology treatment.
There are leading clinics that use the latest medical technologies and offer treatment at the level of world standards. Special attention is paid to creating a comfortable infrastructure and service packages, which makes Astana attractive not only for patients from the CIS, but also for people from Europe and Asia.
In addition, a well-developed network of private clinics and specialized centers allows us to solve both complex medical and aesthetic problems, attracting patients from all over the world. Services in the field of dentistry, reproductive medicine and plastic surgery are particularly in demand, where there is a significant increase in foreign patients.
Advantages of medical tourism in Astana
One of the key advantages is the absence of a language barrier: many specialists are fluent in English, Chinese, Turkish and other languages, which facilitates communication with foreign patients. In addition, Kazakhstan has introduced a C12 category medical visa, which simplifies entry to receive medical services. Today, many clinics already have websites in English and Chinese, and there is also a single portal - https://med-tourism.kz/ru /, dedicated to medical tourism, which combines information about clinics, industry news and current offers in the field of medical services.ices.
Astana actively cooperates with international associations: 49 clinics and organizations have joined the Kazakhstan Medical Tourism Association (CAMT), which has partnerships with 10 foreign associations from countries such as Georgia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, Turkey, China and Israel. In addition, Astana's medical institutions offer a high level of hospital service.: modern wards equipped with the latest technology, individual approach to each patient and a wide range of additional services make your stay in the clinics comfortable and convenient. Medical personnel are regularly trained and certified to meet international quality standards. All this helps to create an atmosphere that combines high-quality treatment and comfort for patients.
Prospects and forecasts
In the next five years, medical tourism can become one of the drivers of economic growth and strengthen Astana's position in the international tourism and medical arena. Astana, with its high-quality clinics and affordable medical services, has every chance of becoming a key player in Central Asia. Active promotion of existing and successfully operating areas such as oncology treatment, reproductive medicine and IVF, cardiac surgery, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, dentistry, pediatric rehabilitation, orthopedics and traumatology, transplantology and check-up programs will open up new horizons for attracting patients.
Bottom line: Astana is a new name on the map of the world medical tourism
Astana, thanks to its modern medical centers, readiness to receive foreign patients according to international standards, a unique combination of quality and affordable cost of treatment, is confidently moving towards taking its rightful place among the world leaders of medical tourism.
The capital of Kazakhstan has great potential for further development of this area, which contributes to the growth of its reputation not only as a city with high-tech medicine, but also as a center of attraction for international patients. The integration of new technologies, increased marketing and the creation of a favorable legislative framework will allow Astana to compete with such recognized leaders as Turkey, South Korea and Germany.
Thus, medical tourism is becoming not only an important part of the urban economy, but also the hallmark of Astana on the global map of innovation and high standards in healthcare.