In the first half of 2026, the number of children born with congenital defects in Kazakhstan fell by 25.6%. The Ministry of Health attributes this positive trend in part to the expansion of prenatal screening, infohub.kz reports.
According to the ministry, 22 "One-Day Clinics" are now operating at perinatal centers across the country. Over the six months of this year, 66,000 pregnant women underwent initial screening at these facilities.
"This format allows risks to be identified in a timely manner and, if necessary, refers expectant mothers for additional examinations," the ministry notes.
During the reporting period, the detection rate of fetal congenital defects during ultrasound examinations rose by 13.8%, while the number of children born with congenital defects and chromosomal abnormalities fell by 25.6%.
According to Gulshara Abildinova, chief geneticist at the Ministry of Health, the positive trend is seen in the results of prenatal diagnostics performed.
"In a single day, a pregnant woman can undergo biochemical prenatal screening to determine the concentration of substances that raise suspicion of Down syndrome. On the same day, she has an ultrasound and receives a consultation with a geneticist," the professor explained.
If a high or threshold risk is identified, the pregnant woman is recommended to undergo invasive prenatal diagnostics.
The Ministry of Health emphasized that Kazakhstan's experience in developing "One-Day Clinics" has been well received in Central Asian countries. It is noted that Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan now intend to introduce this methodology.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health summed up the results of inspections at maternity hospitals across the republic. It emerged that violations were found in many of them.