Kazakhstan Leads Central Asia in Cutting Early Deaths from Non-Communicable Diseases

Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia to achieve the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global target for 2025: a 25 per cent reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The WHO’s report, “Preventable Mortality, Risk Factors and Strategies to Combat NCDs,” highlights Kazakhstan’s strengthened healthcare system and successful policies targeting cardiovascular diseases and cancer, The Caspian Post reports via Kyrgyz media.

Key initiatives include substantial investments in nationwide stroke and cardiovascular treatment centers, expansion of catheterization laboratories from 31 to 49 between 2017 and 2024, and establishment of 83 emergency stroke care centers. These efforts have significantly lowered stroke-related mortality and disability.

Kazakhstan also stands out in complex surgeries, including heart and lung transplants, ranking as a leader in Central Asia.

The country has broadened early detection programs, now screening for eight major diseases, such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and various cancers.

Alongside medical advances, Kazakhstan actively combats major risk factors-tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and excessive sugar intake-to curb NCD prevalence.

In 2022, NCDs accounted for 81 per cent of premature deaths in Kazakhstan, with cardiovascular diseases leading at 52 per cent, followed by cancer (12.2 per cent), injuries and poisonings (7.5 per cent), and respiratory diseases (5.5 per cent).