Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health will revise its approach to medical care for pregnant women, newborns, and children under five. The instructions were issued by Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova, according to infohub.kz.
Particular emphasis was placed on patients in risk groups. The tasks were discussed at a staff meeting with the heads of regional health departments and national medical centers. The work is part of the implementation of the "Children of Kazakhstan" concept for 2026–2030.
Key areas include individual monitoring of pregnant women in risk groups, ensuring the readiness of maternity facilities, and strengthening oversight of emergency medical care for children.
"Every pregnant woman, especially those in high-risk groups, must be under constant medical supervision. It is necessary to determine an individual pregnancy management plan, the delivery route, and assign responsible specialists in advance," Alnazarova emphasized.
The minister paid special attention to the timely hospitalization of pregnant women and the readiness of hospitals to provide emergency obstetric and gynecological care, including on weekends and holidays.
Regional health departments have been instructed to eliminate unjustified refusals to hospitalize pregnant women and to ensure continuity of medical observation.
"When a pregnant woman seeks help, medical assistance must be organized on site with the involvement of the necessary specialists. It is not the woman who should be looking for a hospital; the healthcare system must provide her with timely care," the minister noted.
A separate instruction concerns emergency medical care for children under five. When an ambulance is called, a full assessment of the child's condition must be ensured, and if indicated, the child must be taken to a hospital for further examination and a decision on hospitalization.
The head of the Ministry of Health instructed that the relevant ambulance service algorithms be revised, that training for medical workers be strengthened, and that cases of underestimating the severity of children's conditions be eliminated.
Infection control in perinatal centers will also be strengthened, patient routing will be improved, and prompt monitoring of high-risk pregnant women will be organized.
National research centers have been instructed to strengthen practical support for the regions and to develop mentorship for young obstetrician-gynecologists, neonatologists, and pediatric specialists. Within two weeks, the centers must submit proposals for improving the qualifications of medical workers.
Special attention was paid to medical support for mothers and children after discharge from hospitals. The ministry will strengthen control over the quality of follow-up home visits and continuity between maternity hospitals and polyclinics.
It is noted that the "Children of Kazakhstan" concept for 2026–2030 provides for the implementation of 30 measures aimed at expanding preventive care, developing medical infrastructure, and improving the quality of specialized care for children.