Astana, 21 October. Zhuldyz Danbayeva, a Kurultai MP from the Adilet faction, proposed to Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova that the population be screened for cardiovascular disease from the age of 18 using artificial intelligence programs: screening currently covers citizens over 30 and certain groups of the population.
At the start of this year 1.9 million patients with circulatory diseases were under medical supervision, 14.4% of the adult population; in 114,000 of them the disease was diagnosed for the first time, and 90% are treated as outpatients, that is, at polyclinics. The problems, according to the MP, are concentrated in primary health care, the polyclinics and outpatient clinics that patients go to first. They lack specialists: against a need for 4,014, only 661 are working. Wear and tear on medical equipment is about 40%, and some polyclinics lack a full set of devices for primary cardiac diagnostics.
Patients' needs for outpatient medicines, according to the MP, are covered by only 40–50%, and because of supply disruptions drugs are available only 8–10 months a year, which, as Danbayeva put it, "disrupts the continuity of treatment." In the medium term the goal is to reduce the level of cardiovascular disease by 5%.
On behalf of the Adilet faction, Danbayeva proposed including chronic heart failure and atherosclerosis clinics in the primary care standard, organising a full cycle of cardiac rehabilitation in all regions, "introducing artificial intelligence programs for screening the population from the age of 18 and systems for remote monitoring of patients' condition," drawing up a comprehensive programme to restructure cardiology services, setting up non-invasive diagnostic centres at large polyclinics, one for every 150,000 residents, and retraining general practitioners and family doctors.
What it means: One in seven adults is under medical supervision for heart and vascular disease, and they are treated mainly at polyclinics that lack specialists, working equipment and medicines. The MP proposes looking for the disease earlier, from the age of 18, and strengthening primary care.
Who benefits: Early screening and uninterrupted drug supplies are needed above all by the 1.9 million patients, 90% of whom are treated as outpatients. The MP did not say how much the proposals would cost; the sources do not contain the Health Ministry's response to the request.
Background: At present, screening for cardiovascular disease covers citizens over 30 and certain groups of the population.
List of sources used: Vlast, Nasha Gazeta, Vlast
Artificial intelligence was used in preparing this material.
