Health experts believe that the country has great potential for the development of medical tourism. 
In 7 months of 2024, 300 foreign medical tourists from 36 countries of the world were treated at the National Hospital of the Presidential Administration in Almaty (former Sovminka), 70 of them were hospitalized, the press service of the city health department reported on August 15. Is it worth being proud of such figures, medical experts argue. 

According to the Medical Tourism Association, about 14 million people worldwide travel abroad every year in search of medical care. Analysts predict that the global medical tourism market will grow at an average annual rate of 17.9%. If in 2024 it is estimated at $47 billion, then by 2029 its volume may exceed $111 billion. 

Today, Thailand is the leader, receiving 2.5 million patients annually. Mexico ranks second with 1.3 million patients, most of whom are citizens of Canada and the United States. This global trend reflects the growing demand for high-quality medical services and indicates opportunities for developing countries that seek to attract patients from abroad. 

Uzbekistan is the leader in the development of medical tourism in Central Asia. During the year, the country is visited by about 60 thousand foreign citizens who arrived to receive medical care. Among the most popular areas are dentistry, cosmetic surgery and spa treatment. The attractiveness of Uzbekistan for medical tourists is explained by a combination of several factors: the presence of well-equipped medical organizations, qualified specialists and very affordable prices. 

Kazakhstan's figures are more modest: more than 5,000 foreign patients come to the country every year. The leading areas are cardiac surgery, perinatal medicine and dentistry. The top 3 countries from which medical tourists come include Kyrgyzstan, Russia and.. Uzbekistan. Why? 

The fact is that if lower prices attract patients in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan can offer something more — highly qualified doctors, many of whom have been trained abroad, which ensures a high level of medical care. 

Astana alone has seven clinics that have received international JCI (Joint Commission International) accreditation, which certifies the quality and safety of medical organizations at the global level. Kazakhstan ranks 25th in the world in terms of the number of organizations accredited by JCI, which indicates a desire to provide a high level of medical services. 

Most medical tourists prefer republican clinics in Astana specializing in narrow-profile medical care, whereas reproductive medicine centers are popular in Almaty. Thus, the UMC Heart Center (University Medical Center) operates in the capital of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where the most complex operations are performed: LVAD implantation, prosthetics of heart valves, heart transplantation, as well as minimally invasive cardiac surgery. 

High-quality medical care in Astana is provided by the National Scientific Center for Motherhood and Childhood, as well as the new National Scientific Cancer Center. The development of medical tourism is also a priority for the hospital of the Medical Center of the Presidential Administration. 

Karaganda Regional Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after Professor H.J. Makazhanov successfully treats injuries and orthopedic disorders. 

In the Index of Global Access to Medical Services compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Kazakhstan took the 16th place, ahead of a number of developed countries in terms of access to healthcare. 

The Kazakhstan Association of Medical Tourism (CAMT) has been established in the republic, which is actively engaged in promoting medical tourism on the international market. 

However, a logical question arises: why, with such wide opportunities, does Kazakhstan not derive more economic benefits from medical tourism? 

For the successful development of medical tourism, more is needed than just high-quality clinics. This process requires an integrated approach, including tourism infrastructure, organization of stay and promotion of the country. Government agencies such as the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, as well as the Trade Policy Development Center play an important role. The public-private partnership between the government, clinics and travel companies is a key element for the systemic growth of the industry. Government policy and investments should become the driving force that will allow medical tourism in Kazakhstan to become a full-fledged and prosperous branch of the economy. 

Medical tourism in Kazakhstan has the potential to attract patients not only from Central Asian countries, but also from the southern regions of Russia, the entire CIS, the Caucasus, as well as far abroad. While medical services in the developed countries of the West continue to rise in price, Kazakhstan finds itself in an advantageous competitive position. Doctors in Kazakhstan offer high-quality medical services at significantly lower prices than in the USA and Europe, which creates all the prerequisites for entering this highly competitive market.


Comparison of the cost of surgical interventions in different countries, $
Operation Kazakhstan Thailand India Singapore USA
Heart Bypass Surgery 1 645 11 000 10 000 18 500 18 500 
Heart Valve Replacement 4 560 10 000 9 000 12 500 12 500 
Plastic surgery on vessels 1 125 13 000 11 000 13 000 57 000 
Hip Replacement 2 240 12 000 9 000 12 000 43 000 
Source: KAMT

Source: https://forbes.kz/