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ERROR: type should be string, got "https://central.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_ca/features/2018/03/14/feature-01\n2019: a year of intensifying anti-Chinese sentiment in Kazakhstan\nRussian incursions in eastern Syria hinder fight against 'Islamic State'\nKyrgyzstan eyes stricter oversight of financial remittances\nTehran's timid response to Soleimani killing underscores regime's fragility\n| Health\nKazakhstan's new health plan expands free access to medication\nBy Alexander Bogatik\nA woman visits a pharmacy in Micro-District No. 7 in Taraz March 1. The Kazakhstani government plans to provide free medication for 3.8 million patients across the country this year. [Alexander Bogatik]\nASTANA -- Almost 4 million Kazakhstanis will receive free medication in 2018 under their country's Ministry of Health plan.\nThis year's plan includes instituting a nationwide paperless health record system and expanding access to free medication, among other targets, the ministry said in a statement February 28.\nThe number of patients eligible to receive free medication is expanding every year.\n\"In 2017, 2.5 million patients obtained medications worth 91.5 billion KZT ($286 million), and in 2018 we plan to provide 3.8 million patients 128 billion KZT ($400 million) worth of medication,\" the statement said.\nSimplifying access to free medication\nAnatolii Ragutin, a 69-year-old retiree from Taraz, said he receives 20,000 KZT ($62) worth of medication for free every month.\n\"I get insulin for my diabetes and heart medications,\" he told Caravanserai, adding that without the aid, he could not afford such expensive medication on his monthly pension of 90,000 KZT ($280).\nReceiving the medications is a very simple procedure, he said: a doctor writes the prescription, and the pharmacy fills it for free.\nAuthorities plan to simplify the process soon, so that patients may receive free medicine at clinics, Leyla Imanova, co-ordinator of the Shymkent-based NGO Densaulyk, told Caravanserai.\n\"A unified [paperless] health record system in Kazakhstan will equally facilitate the lives of health providers and of patients,\" she said. \"Scheduling a doctor's visit, choosing a clinic or applying to get on a waiting list for a free operation will be easy.\"\nThe paperless system is expected to begin operating in 2019.\nExpanding free medication coverage\nThe free medication plan covers more than 40 ailments, said Imanova, who added that the government plans to expand \"the list of diseases for which free medications are dispensed\".\n\"Primarily, they're suffering from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, multiple sclerosis and other serious diseases,\" Ragutin said, sharing his own observation of the programme.\n\"We have all the necessary medications. Patients who fall into certain categories ... receive medications for free,\" Madina Shynaliyeva, director of the Zhambyl Province Committee for Oversight of Medical and Pharmaceutical Activity, told Caravanserai.\nThe committee regularly monitors the availability of the medications and their quality, she said.\nImproving healthcare\nBy the end of 2017, Kazakhstan had improved its basic health indicators: overall mortality decreased by 3% and tuberculosis mortality decreased by 12%, compared to the year before, according to the Ministry of Health.\nProgress in providing medical services in recent years has been noticeable, Imanova said.\n\"It's clear from the statistics ... and we see it ourselves visiting clinics and hospitals,\" she said. \"For example, ambulances are arriving sooner, patient care is improving and cases of patients being unable to obtain essential medications rarely occur.\"\n* Denotes Required Field Comment Policy Comment *\n1500 characters remaining (1500 max) Captcha *\nUzbekistan moves forward on healthcare reforms\nThe new measures are meant to improve medical care and root out corruption.\nTajik doctors provide valuable medical care to Afghans near border\nTajik doctors treat thousands of Afghan citizens every year on both sides of the border as part of an agreement between the two countries' health ministries.\nUzbekistan takes steps to improve healthcare quality, fight TB\nThe government is working to improve healthcare in rural areas by training medical staff and requiring some new doctors to serve in rural communities for three years.\nKremlin narrative of alleged IS threat to Central Asia debunked\nWhat is the primary reason for increased US-Iranian tensions?\nIran-backed militant activity throughout region\nIran’s ongoing nuclear activity\nRivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran\nUS military presence in the region"