The role of medical universities in modernizing the healthcare system of Kazakhstan

In his State of the Nation Address dated September 2, 2024 “Just Kazakhstan: Law and Order, Economic Growth, Social Optimism”, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev focused attention on the significance of reforms in the healthcare sector.

He outlined the need to align higher education institutions with new standards and integrate innovative methods in the educational process, develop the quality of medical care and training of specialists. Medical universities should more than ever expand the field of scientific research and turn into diagnostic and treatment centers and incorporate intensively digital technologies such as artificial intelligence and telemedicine. In this context new laboratories have been opened at the M.Ospanov WKMU where work with artificial intelligence is carried out, and, on the basis of grant projects funded by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, our scientists conduct research work and introduce the latest ideas into scientific discourse of medicine.

One of the main issues is the promotion of practical programs and an increase in the number of internships that enable students to acquire specific skills when working with patients. Modern medical higher education institutions ought to be in close cooperation with hospitals and clinics, thus providing a background for the integration of training and practical activities.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s State of the Nation Address highlights strategic priorities aimed at the development of medical education and science in the country. Together with medical specialists’ training, medical higher education institutions should turn into a center for scientific and technological innovations that will help upgrade the country’s healthcare system and improve the living standards of citizens.