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Tengrinews.kz – Astana is experiencing a sharp seasonal surge in influenza and acute respiratory infections, prompting complaints about overcrowded clinics and shortages of certain medications. First Vice Minister of Health Timur Sultangaziyev commented on the situation during a briefing at the Central Communications Service.
Overloaded clinics and expanded capacity
According to the vice minister, the capital faced a significant rise in patient flow:
“We indeed see a seasonal increase in ARVI and influenza cases in Astana. There was a period when primary care facilities, infectious disease hospitals and ambulance services were under heavy pressure,” Sultangaziyev said.
To ease the load, additional triage stations were set up in polyclinics to ensure faster access to care.
“Separate filters were organized specifically for pregnant women and children, where examinations were carried out as a priority and further treatment tactics were determined. When necessary, patients were referred to inpatient or outpatient care,” he added.
Because infectious disease units reached high occupancy levels last week, additional beds were deployed.
“Astana has now opened 420 extra pediatric beds, around 60 percent of which are occupied by children with ARVI,” the vice minister noted.
He also reported that since the start of the 2025 epidemic season, Kazakhstan has recorded 1.5 million ARVI cases, 65–66 percent of them in children — a figure 20 percent lower than last year. Among children under 14, one million ARVI cases were registered.
Medication shortages: what happened
Journalists raised concerns about the lack of certain antiviral drugs in the capital’s pharmacies.
Chairman of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Control Committee Baurzhan Zhussipov acknowledged the issue, stating that it is under special monitoring. He said that the ministry met with heads of major pharmacy chains earlier this week.
“Regarding antipyretics, NSAIDs and similar medicines, pharmacies have more than a two-month supply. The only issue concerns a few antiviral drugs — Fluvire and Flucap. Demand for them has sharply increased. We spoke with large pharmacy chains yesterday. It’s true that these drugs are missing in some locations. A large shipment is expected to arrive today or tomorrow,” Zhussipov said.
He explained that the shortage is demand-driven: for several weeks, residents have been actively buying these specific antivirals, prompting distributors to order additional stock.
Zhussipov stressed that the problem does not affect hospitals, which remain fully supplied.
Journalists also asked about the availability of aspirin and acetylsalicylic acid.
“NSAIDs are in stock. Pharmacy networks confirmed they have sufficient supplies. I can’t comment specifically on aspirin, but there are various alternatives — including paracetamol and other NSAIDs — and stocks are adequate,” he said.
