Kazakhstan, with support from the World Health Organization, is launching a new program to protect the health of residents in the Aral Sea region. Medical and environmental monitoring will be strengthened in the area to detect risks related to water and air quality, climate, and other factors earlier, according to infohub.kz.
The roadmap was presented at a meeting between Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova and heads of diplomatic missions, with the participation of the head of the WHO country office.
"We must not wait for environmental factors to affect people's health, but act proactively. We need to see risks earlier, prevent diseases, and provide timely assistance to people," Alnazarova said.
The document outlines strengthened sanitary-epidemiological and medical monitoring, as well as the development of scientific research and the use of digital technologies to analyze the impact of water and air quality, climate, and other factors on residents' health.
Special attention will be given to children, pregnant women, pensioners, and patients with chronic diseases.
"WHO will assist Kazakhstan in promoting an integrated approach to environmental issues for the health of current and future generations," said Skender Syla, head of the WHO office in Kazakhstan, in his remarks.
The new plan covers five years, from 2026 to 2030. It is noted that it became a practical continuation of agreements reached at the regional environmental summit in Astana in April of this year.
Recall that in April, Kazakhstan President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev held a meeting in Akorda of the Council of Heads of State—founders of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and proposed a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation.