Health Ministry Responds to Unfounded Speculations
In Kazakhstan, diabetes treatment and support are now fully funded through the Mandatory Social Health Insurance (MSHI) system. This system, which took over from the Guaranteed Volume of Free Medical Care (GVFMC) for diabetes services in 2025, ensures that all necessary care is provided without requiring extra payments from diabetes patients.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that patients do not pay additional fees, as existing insurance contributions cover their treatment. Over 95% of diabetes patients are already insured under this system, and for those who remain uninsured, local budgets may provide financial support.
Kazakhstan has made significant strides in noncommunicable disease (NCD) management, including diabetes. The focus has been on prevention, early diagnosis, expanded treatment access, and improved patient outcomes. National screening programs encompass diabetes among other major diseases, with over 70% of the target population screened by 2024. This progress aligns with Kazakhstan’s designation as the first Central Asian country to achieve the WHO target of reducing premature NCD mortality by 25% by 2025.
While there is no specific information about the exact drugs provided under the MSHI in Kazakhstan, recent global diabetes advances include therapies such as add-on treatments with semaglutide, which improve glycemic control and weight management in type 1 diabetes patients with obesity. However, the adoption or registration of such newer medications like semaglutide for type 1 diabetes in Kazakhstan has not been explicitly detailed.
Recently, the Ministry of Health has updated the list of medications for diabetes treatment, expanding it to include new-generation insulin - degludec. This insulin will be available to all patient categories, including pregnant women and children. The total annual expenditure on diabetes treatment for all patients in Kazakhstan amounts to up to 46 billion tenge.
It's important to note that misinformation about diabetes patients facing restrictions in accessing medical care is not true. All diagnosed patients with diabetes in Kazakhstan receive necessary medication for free. Currently, 96% of diabetes patients are covered by the OMS system, and the Ministry of Health has stated that diabetes treatment is accessible to all patients without restrictions.
Diabetes medication will be provided through the OMS system starting from January next year. The Ministry of Health has not provided information about changes in the annual expenditure on diabetes treatment. However, they have stated that only medications with proven effectiveness have been retained on the updated list.
In summary, the MSHI system in Kazakhstan supports comprehensive diabetes care without additional financial burden on patients, reflecting Kazakhstan’s broader success in managing NCDs through robust health policy and insurance coverage.
Science shows that management of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as diabetes, in Kazakhstan has progressed significantly. The MSHI system, effective since 2025, provides medical-conditions like diabetes with full funding, ensuring that chronic diseases like type-2 diabetes receive necessary treatment and care, without requiring extra payments from patients. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that all diabetes medications, including new-generation insulin like degludec, will be accessible through the MSHI, promoting health and wellness for all patients.
