Kazakhstan Sees Sharp Drop in Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates

Kazakh Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova has announced that significant improvements were achieved in maternal and infant health, with notable declines in mortality rates.

Alnazarova made these remarks at a recent government meeting, The Caspian Post reports per Kazakh media.

She noted that the implementation of recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF contributed to a 12 per cent reduction in maternal mortality in 2024, bringing the rate down to 10.1 deaths per 100,000 live births. At the same time, the infant mortality rate dropped by 11 per cent, reaching 6.88 deaths per 1,000 live births.

The positive trend has continued into 2025. In the first six months of the year, maternal deaths fell by another 10 per cent, while neonatal mortality decreased by 26 per cent, underscoring the country’s progress in enhancing maternal and child healthcare services.

Alnazarova highlighted the adoption of new postpartum hemorrhage prevention techniques, which have led to a 20 per cent increase in organ-preserving surgeries, improving health outcomes for mothers.

Kazakhstan’s air medical service also played a vital role in emergency interventions, successfully saving 96 per cent of critically ill mothers and newborns who were airlifted last year.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Healthcare is working on a comprehensive maternal health program tailored specifically for Kazakh women, aiming to further strengthen the quality and accessibility of maternal care across the country.