Kazakhstan sees dramatic decline in cardiovascular deaths
ASTANA. KAZINFORM - Kazakhstan is among the world's top 25 countries performing open-heart surgeries, according to Salim Berkinbayev, the director of the scientific-research institute of cardiology and internal diseases under the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development.
"Presently, Kazakhstan is ranked 22nd among the countries conducting open-heart surgeries," Mr. Berkinbayev said at a Wednesday press conference at the KazMedia Center in Astana. In his words, Kazakhstan has seen a dramatic drop in cardiovascular mortality over the past decade. "539 cardiovascular deaths per 100,000 people were registered in Kazakhstan in 2003, compared to 217 cardiovascular deaths per 100,000 people in 2013," he added. "This achievement is mainly due to implementation of the state program for development of cardiac surgery in Kazakhstan in 2007-2009 launched on the instruction of President Nursultan Nazarbayev," Mr. Berkinbayev stressed.