Bolashak graduates justify expectations

Could you, please, tell about yourself and your experience of studying abroad. I have obtained higher education in medicine and law. I graduated from the Kazakh State Medical Academy and Eurasian National University. I worked as a physician at the surgical department of the National Research Medical Center. I am a graduate of the Bolashak Presidential scholarship program. In 2006-2008 I pursued studies at the University of Arizona, the USA, majoring in health policy and management and obtained Master?s degree in Public Health. As part the program at the University of Arizona I studied at the Nanjing University, China. Upon graduation I returned to my previous job at the surgical department of the National Research Medical Center. Afterwards I was a volunteer at the National Medical Holding, from July, 2008 I worked as Health Services Quality Manager, from December, 2008 ? Managing Director of Health Services Quality of the National Medical Holding. What did you gain from studying at the overseas university? On my opinion, in addition to the knowledge and skills I had received invaluable experience of communication with representatives of different cultures and nations. As for the studies, I would like to note the importance of the knowledge that I obtained in the sphere of public health organization, medical management, and hospital management, quality management in medic care, statistics, and epidemiology. That is why I consider Bolashak scholarship program to be a remarkable chance to obtain education in the world best universities, and is one of the most forward-looking projects of the Kazakh President. The graduates of this program justify the expectation of the Head of the State and make a great contribution to Kazakhstan?s development. Now that you are Managing Director of Health Services Quality of the National Medical Holding, could you tell about the achievements and objectives of the Holding. The National Medical Holding was founded on May 13, 2008 with a view to introduce international quality and safety standards and business culture into hospital management. After one year it proved to be a dynamical and effective management company. Under the commission of the President the National Maternity and Childhood Center was placed in management of the world famous company VAMED Management und Service. Another project is at the stage of completion - transfer of the first-aid station and a receiver branch of the National Center for Emergency Health Care to a foreign company. Another unique project is managers training on MBA program in the sphere of hospital administration. 50 specialists will receive training and 10 of them will start studies in September, 2009. Could you tell about the quality management system of medical services in the National Holding. The target of the National Medical Holding is to introduce international quality and safety standards and obtain international accreditation. Hence there was created an institutional foundation of the quality system represented by quality management. For the first time international quality and patient safety standards are introduced in the CIS. In June about 50 specialists of the clinics will be trained on an educational seminar of the International Joint Commission. Besides, the National Medical Holding introduced a mechanism of internal health control. The results of such control allow to assess the situation of health services quality and to identify the potential areas for improvement. Thank you for the interview.