Over the past three years (2022–2024), a slight decline in birth rates has been observed in our country (from 23.5‰ to 19.5‰). At the same time, the neonatal mortality rate shows a decreasing trend (4.53‰ in 2022 and 3.4‰ in 2024). However, over the past three years, infant mortality rates in the Republic have remained high (7.68‰ in 2022 and 3.4‰ in 2024).In the structure of morbidity and mortality among newborns, preterm infants continue to occupy the first place, with a perinatal mortality rate of approximately 90.0‰. This primarily concerns children born with very low and extremely low birth weight. Of particular concern is the low survival rate of extremely preterm infants (56.8% in 2022 and 57.4% in 2024).
Currently, there continues to be a shortage of neonatologists and neonatal intensivists. A significant deficit of neonatologists is observed in Almaty, West Kazakhstan, Zhambyl, Kostanay regions, and other areas of the Republic. There is also an acute shortage of neonatology instructors with academic degrees in all medical universities of the country.
To address issues in the neonatal service aimed at reducing infant mortality, increasing the survival of preterm infants, improving the health index of pregnant women and parturients, and reducing premature births, the training of highly qualified personnel in perinatology and neonatology is required. In this regard, the Department of Neonatology of the School of Pediatrics was reorganized (Order No. 381 dated 03.08.2023).
The department has 8 full-time academic staff, including 1 professor, 2 Candidates of Medical Sciences, 1 PhD, and 2 Masters of Medicine. All full-time staff also work part-time at clinical bases, which allows them to supervise students in clinical practice.
The department’s academic staff participate in all types of activities. The department collaborates with associations, employers, and medical universities in Kazakhstan.
Part-time staff: 1 Assistant, 1 Assistant Professor
Clinical mentors: 11 (1 Master, all mentors have extensive clinical experience and head departments)
Clinical bases: 4 (accredited)
