Kazakhstan hits the mark of 260 transplants in 2024
A forum dedicated to the 100th donor heart transplant in Kazakhstan was held in Astana this week, Kazinform News Agency reports.
"The pinnacle of medical achievement in any country is heart transplantation. Today, Kazakhstan has reached a very significant milestone — the 100th transplant. This is already history," said Kazakhstan’s Minister of Health Akmaral Alnazarova.
She noted that several pressing issues still require collaborative efforts between departments and support from civil society.
As Akmaral Alnazarova highlighted, by the end of 2024, a total of 260 transplants had been conducted, with just 23 of them involving posthumous organ donations.
"I know that representatives from all ministries involved in this process are present today. So, I want to thank you once again and encourage our service to gain new momentum. Let this service continue to grow. On our part, the ministry is working to enhance the service, fully engage our specialists, and involve all regions. Currently, more than 4,000 patients are on the waiting list for a transplant," the minister said.
The first heart transplant in Kazakhstan was carried out by Dr. Yuriy Pya, Chairman of the Board of University Medical Center and Doctor of Medical Sciences.
"Of course, 13 years may seem like a short time, but behind each number is a person. The 100th transplant represents the 100th chance for someone whose life was otherwise at risk due to their illness. For us, this is a significant milestone, and it’s no coincidence that it aligns with the launch of our new system, a domestic innovation, designed to facilitate the transportation of donor organs across Kazakhstan, from any region to any other," said Yuriy Pya.
The patient who underwent Kazakhstan’s 100th heart transplant in early February 2025 has already been discharged from the hospital and is now recovering at home.
As reported earlier, a unique heart surgery was performed on a six-month-old baby in Taraz.
