Kazakh Hospitals Underfunded by 550 Billion Tenge in Compulsory Medical Insurance System
What Happened?
Kazakhstan's OSMS, designed to provide accessible medical care, faces a significant financial shortfall. Deputy Askhat Aimagambetov revealed that over 550 billion tenge intended for medical institutions had not been allocated.
Key reasons for the shortfall include:
-
Errors in calculating contributions for preferential categories.
The state is responsible for paying insurance contributions for 15 categories, such as pregnant women, pensioners, children, students, and others. However, contributions were underestimated. -
Non-compliance with the national budget law.
The budget failed to allocate the legally required funds for OSMS, worsening the financial gap.
Impact on Hospitals and Patients
The underfunding of OSMS has severely affected medical institutions, resulting in:
- Delayed or canceled surgeries;
- Lack of rehabilitation services;
- Shortages of medications;
- Limited access to diagnostic procedures (MRI, CT, etc.).
Hundreds of thousands of Kazakh citizens have been unable to receive timely medical care, while hospitals struggle with insufficient resources and personnel.
Aimagambetov’s Statement
Askhat Aimagambetov emphasized the gravity of the situation:
"These are not just 'virtual funds.' These are funds that could save lives, provide timely treatment, and ensure necessary diagnostics," he said.
Proposed Solutions
To address the funding shortfall, Aimagambetov proposed:
- Revising the calculation of contributions for preferential categories.
- Ensuring compliance with the national budget law to stabilize OSMS funding.
- Strengthening oversight of OSMS fund usage.
Political and Social Context
The underfunding highlights broader issues of budget management and the efficiency of Kazakhstan's OSMS. The situation raises public concerns about access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations, and intensifies scrutiny of government accountability.
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