Kazakhstan and Türkiye are stepping up cooperation in healthcare, with plans to launch joint medical projects, expand pharmaceutical production, exchange expertise and introduce advanced medical technologies.

The agreements were discussed during the COP31 conference in Antalya, where Kazakh Healthcare Minister Akmaral Alnazarova and her Turkish counterpart, Kemal Memişoğlu, signed a healthcare cooperation plan for 2027-2028, Qazinform News Agency reports.

The plan covers several priority areas, including medical infrastructure, pharmaceutical manufacturing, digital healthcare, medical education, primary healthcare and technology exchange.

One of the key initiatives is the organization of Turkish Medicine Days in Kazakhstan. Leading Turkish specialists are expected to visit the country to conduct master classes and provide patient consultations in cardiology, neurosurgery, rehabilitation and emergency medicine.

The initiative aims to help Kazakh doctors gain practical experience from Turkish colleagues while expanding patients' access to specialized medical consultations.

The dates, participating hospitals and patient admission procedures have not yet been announced.

The two countries also discussed the participation of Turkish companies in Kazakhstan's healthcare infrastructure projects.

Rönesans Holding is currently building a 630-bed multidisciplinary hospital in Kokshetau, while YDA Group is involved in hospital construction projects in Turkistan and Petropavlovsk.

Cooperation will also cover nuclear medicine and advanced diagnostics. An investment agreement with Orhun Medical aims to expand Kazakhstan's diagnostic infrastructure.

PET/CT centers are already operating in the Mangystau and Kyzylorda regions, supporting cancer diagnosis, disease staging and treatment monitoring.

Kazakhstan and Türkiye also intend to strengthen cooperation in the pharmaceutical industry.

Investment agreements have been signed with Turkish pharmaceutical companies Abdi İbrahim and Nobel İlaç to establish production facilities in Kazakhstan for medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The projects are expected to expand domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing and reduce the country's dependence on imported medicines.

Kazakhstan is also interested in Türkiye's experience in healthcare digitalization, particularly its e-Nabız digital health platform and hospital automation systems.

The countries plan to explore cooperation in medical data management, clinical and administrative processes, resource allocation and patient flow management. No specific implementation timeline has been announced.

The 2027-2028 plan also envisages joint medical research, clinical experience exchanges, professional internships and cooperation with the Turkish Health Institutes (TÜSEB).

The two sides will also study Türkiye's medical accreditation and certification practices.

The discussions also addressed strengthening primary healthcare, preventing diseases and improving access to medical services.

Alnazarova invited Türkiye to consider joining the Global Coalition of Countries on Primary Health Care, an initiative proposed by Kazakhstan.

Following the meeting, both sides agreed to designate responsible organizations and begin implementing the 2027-2028 cooperation plan.

As previously reported, Kazakhstan presented a climate investment platform at COP31.