Kazakh Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova has instructed medical organizations to remove restrictions on electronic booking with specialists, keep appointment schedules up to date and hold clinic heads more accountable for the accessibility of services, the website infohub.kz reports.
According to the Health Ministry's official website, a board meeting in Almaty examined the issue of ensuring accessible doctor appointments and shortening waiting times for medical care.
Data from the Medical Control Committee showed that monitoring has produced positive changes in the accessibility of medical care at a number of clinics. At the same time, some organizations still restrict self-booking with specialized doctors and have shortcomings in how physicians' schedules are drawn up.
A set of measures to improve primary health care has already been implemented at the national level. Consultation hours for district doctors have been increased from four to six hours, and waiting times have been cut to one to three days. Nurses' responsibilities have been expanded, independent nurse appointments are being developed, and the organization of emergency medical care is being improved.
The health minister stressed that the performance of heads of medical organizations should be assessed above all by the actual accessibility of care for patients.
"A formal approach to carrying out instructions is unacceptable. The ministry will continue to monitor their implementation. The committees have been instructed to conduct appropriate inspections into all identified violations and take measures within their competence. If there is no positive progress, the necessary management decisions will be made," said Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova.