Health financing progress matrix assessment: Kazakhstan 2023: summary of findings and recommendations

Overview

This report presents the findings of the Health Financing Progress Matrix (‎HFPM)‎ assessment of Kazakhstan conducted in 2023. The WHO HFPM is a standardized tool for use in evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a health-financing system and identifying priority areas of reform to advance universal health coverage. Acknowledging the progress Kazakhstan has made in health financing over the past two decades, with a high population coverage and a strong reliance on public funding, the report highlights related challenges, including low public health expenditure relative to government budgets, financial sustainability concerns, and inefficiencies in resource allocation. The division of public funds between two major pools — the State Guaranteed Basic Package and the Social Health Insurance Package—without cross-subsidization, poses risks related to equity and efficiency. In addition, insufficient provider-reimbursement rates and rigid purchasing mechanisms impact service quality and financial protection. The report recommends increasing public health financing, maintaining free care at the point of use, enhancing financial management flexibility, and strengthening purchasing capacity. A strategic approach to implementing these reforms will be essential for improving financial sustainability, access to care, and overall health-system performance in Kazakhstan.