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Kazakhstan Provides Access to Free Medical Services for Refugees

The world we live in has more people displaced by conflict at any time since the Second World War. Conflict in Syria resulted in almost 5 million people seeking asylum in other countries. At the same time, Afghanistan remains the second refugee producing country in the world. There are almost three million Afghan refugees living abroad, being forced to flee to save their lives.

The parents of Mohammed (25), came to Kazakhstan with two small children eleven years ago. They had to leave everything in Kabul, Afghanistan, and start their lives from a scratch in a new country because of the Taliban persecution.  However, still, they face threats to their lives. Mohammed suffers from a high temperature for more than three months.  Only in January, he was lucky to start treatment in the state medical clinic, according to the new law, adopted in Kazakhstan. He is still facing bureaucratic challenges to receive medical help, but says, “I am so glad that at least we were given a chance to be treated in the state clinics for free. I am working in the market, and even having education, received in Kazakhstan, I do not have a chance to have well paid or official employment because of my status. For refugees, who had to overcome a lot of stress, free medical service is vital”- says Mohammed.  

There are more than 700 refugees in Kazakhstan, and all of them are still vulnerable, despite the fact that they came to the country many years ago. UNHCR and its partner, the Red Crescent Society were advocating with Ministry of Health and Social Protection about the necessity to include refugees in the social schemes and granting them access to free medical services. Finally, the Ministry of Health and Social Development adopted the bylaw on free medical service for refugees, in November 2015, with financial allocations from January 2016.

 “Currently we receive 700 tenge for medical service of one refugee, which is on the same level as Kazakhstan citizens. Additional funds are given for those with specific needs and serious diseases. Our central medical clinic was chosen for serving refugees, because we have considerable experience in dealing with vulnerable population. Currently we have 104 adults and 48 children among our clients and try to help them. We hired a pediatrician for refugee children to better meet their needs.” – says Zaure Maliyeva, Deputy Physician – in- Chief.

According to the law, Mohammad will be able to receive the necessary medical operation for free, in a special hospital of Almaty. The only disadvantage is that the medical operation is scheduled for September, and he has to wait for six months more, which can be a threat for his life.

“This bylaw is already an accomplishment of our mutual cooperation.  Finally, refugees were included into the medical schemes and able to receive regular medical service. However, there are still gaps in practical implementation of this bylaw, and I believe we need to consolidate our efforts in making it implemented for the benefit of the most vulnerable people – refugees” – said Eduardo Yrezabal, UNHCR Deputy Representative.