Kazakhstan overhauls children's healthcare with a bold hybrid model

Kazakhstan is set to reform its children’s healthcare system with a new hybrid approach. The changes will combine the roles of pediatricians and general practitioners to improve care for young patients. Officials say the move aims to boost public health and quality of life across the country. The updated model will keep pediatricians focused on monitoring young children and handling complex cases. Meanwhile, general practitioners will take on broader patient management to ease pressure on the system. Existing pediatric districts—around 1,300 out of 13,375 primary healthcare districts—will stay unchanged.

The reform will not remove pediatricians from the system. Instead, it will introduce a trial phase to test the new approach, drawing on international best practices. To support the transition, the Health Ministry plans performance-based bonuses for pediatricians.

Training for general practitioners will also expand. Medical universities and healthcare institutions will increase efforts to prepare more GPs for the updated system. The reforms will begin with a pilot programme before full implementation. Incentives and expanded training aim to ensure a smooth shift to the hybrid model. The government expects the changes to strengthen children’s healthcare in the long term.