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🇰🇿 Kazakhstan /Health & Science

Kazakhstan changes preventive medical checkups for children

From Tengrinews · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Explainer Named sources Approved/passed
  • New rules effective August 30 adjust the ages for blood-pressure checks, ECGs, blood and urine tests, head measurements and dental referrals.
  • Pulse oximetry will be required for children from one month through age 18, while medical workers will use assessment sheets to evaluate several health indicators.
  • The rules clarify consent requirements, with a parent or legal representative signing for children under 16 and minors aged 16 or older able to consent independently.

Kazakhstan has changed the schedule and content of children’s preventive medical examinations. The updated rules took effect on August 30, reshaping when children receive several routine checks.

Blood pressure will now be measured from age six instead of seven. ECGs, previously performed at ages 14 and 17, will be scheduled at 10, 14, 15 and 16. Complete blood counts and urinalysis will be carried out at age one, two years and six months, five, 10, 14 and 16. The previous schedule covered children before age one and those aged two, five, 14 and 17.

The rules formally introduce referrals for preventive dental examinations at age two, two years and six months, followed by annual referrals from age three through 17. Health workers will measure head circumference through age five, rather than age three. Chest circumference has been removed from the mandatory list of anthropometric measurements at the pre-medical stage.

Patients under the age of six will be examined by pediatric specialists. After age six, the initial health assessment will partly be carried out by a pediatrician or general practitioner, a dentist, and nurses from ophthalmology or surgery offices. If nurses detect any abnormalities, the child will be referred to a pediatrician or general practitioner.

· Assel YegimbayevaShe explained how the updated rules divide examination responsibilities by age.

Children from one month to 18 years old will also undergo pulse oximetry, which measures blood oxygen saturation. Medical workers will use special assessment sheets to examine hearing, visual acuity, the nervous and endocrine systems, dental health and other indicators.

Assel Yegimbayeva, a practitioner and healthcare reimbursement expert, said children under six will be examined by pediatric specialists. After age six, the initial assessment will partly involve a pediatrician or general practitioner, a dentist, and nurses from ophthalmology or surgery offices. Nurses who detect abnormalities will refer the child to a pediatrician or general practitioner.

The rules also clarify voluntary informed consent. Until age 16, a parent or legal representative must provide consent. From age 16, a minor may provide consent independently under Kazakhstan’s public health and healthcare legislation.

Until the age of 16, consent is given by a parent or another legal representative. From age 16, a minor can provide it independently.

· Assel YegimbayevaShe clarified the new wording on consent for medical interventions during preventive examinations.
About this summary

Originally published by Tengrinews in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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