COURSE OF MODERNIZATION: Astana Health Directorate continues putting into practice innovative medical technologies and treatments
Thus, according to the chief of the municipal health department Aigul Segizbaeva there are a number of positive indicators, and doctors are saying about reduction of mortality from several diseases.
In particular, there is reduced mortality from malignant neoplasms in Astana,. So, following the results of the previous year, the number of patients with cancer made 169.4 per 100, 000 people, which is 3.2% less compared to 2011 (175 per 100,000 people) and lower than the average in the country.
"Mortality from cancer decreased by 0.5% and amounted to 81.3 per 100, 000 people", explained A. Segizbayeva.
Besides, there is decline in mortality after myocardial infarction - 49%, decrease in the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in comparison to the previous year by 5.1%. What is very important, by the results of 2012 the maternal mortality rate in the capital has fallen by more than 4 times, and infant mortality decreased by 12%. Life expectancy of the capital's inhabitant made 73 years, which is higher than the national average being 69 years.
According to the Chief of the Municipal Health Directorate all of this became possible due to the support of the government. Today substantial funds are allocated for prevention programs, drug supply, construction of health facilities and implementation of modern medical equipment.
With regard to demographics, then, according to the Directorate's data at present 59 babies are born during a day in Astana, which is 2.5% more than the average national rate. For example, the previous year 21 266 children were born in Astana, on average it is 1772 births a month.
However, A Segizbayev added that the population of the capital as of January 1 of this year, according to the Department of Statistics, is more than 778,000 people.
But until now one of the most problematic issues is the lack of qualified personnel. Thus, as of January 1 of this year in 32 state medical organizations of Astana there are 7446 health workers. Among them are 2725 doctors and 4721 nurses. However, due to the rapid growth of the city there is a shortage of medical personnel these days.
In order to reduce the deficit of health workers the Directorate annually takes part in a job fair in medical schools, and works with the public through the media. Information on vacancies is regularly published on the web-sites of the institution and medical organizations. Besides, in Astana propaganda work is carried out among medical students to attract young professionals. So, in the words of Segizbaeva in 2012, the state body employed 129 young specialists, graduates of the Medical University of Astana and 375 graduates of the College of Medicine in the subordinate organizations of the city.
According to the Directorate's information during the previous year 2328 health workers have been employed by the state medical organizations, that is 363 people more than in 2011 (1, 965). Among them doctors make 43.65% and 45% are nurses.
According to the chief physician of the Municipal Children's Hospital 2 Karshiga Kulmukanov, only in her medical facility in 2012 were recruited 23 young specialists with higher medical education, and 70 nurses. "This hospital is the main clinical base of the Medical University of Astana in pediatrics. The teaching staff of five of its departments is actively involved not only in the care of children, but also provides continuous training of medical staff, " said K. Kulmukanova.
As for future plans, the head of the Health Directorate A. Segizbayeva notes that in the first place this year they are planning to implement and to achieve the targets of the state program of Health named "Salamat Kazakhstan." In particular, we have plans to strengthen measures aimed at the protection of mothers and children and reduce the number of social diseases, introduce innovative technologies and therapies, to monitor the needs of professionals, to interact with the medical schools for training and retraining of personnel, and to proceed with the development of healthy life.
"The municipal Health Directorate is ready to achieve these indicators", assured A. Segizbayeva.