Kazakhstan keeps 2,000 hospital beds in reserve amid spike in flu and respiratory infections

Tengrinews.kz – Hospitals across Kazakhstan have prepared an additional 2,000 beds in case the current wave of influenza and acute respiratory infections (ARI) intensifies, Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova told reporters.

During her visit to an infectious diseases hospital in Astana, the minister reviewed the city’s bed capacity, stock of medicines and medical supplies. She noted that 250 beds have already been deployed for patients with flu and ARI, with another 80 beds available in reserve.

“Nationwide, we are keeping 2,000 beds in reserve and are ready to expand capacity if needed. In Astana, around 250 beds have already been deployed, and 80 more remain in reserve. We have strengthened primary care and public outreach efforts,” Alnazarova said in the Senate corridors.

She previously confirmed that more than 60,000 units of antiviral medications were delivered to Astana pharmacies, easing earlier shortages.

According to the Health Ministry, from 1 September 2025 onward, 1,461,819 ARI cases have been registered across the country. Of these, 963,847 are children under 14 — nearly 66 percent of all cases.

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Since the start of the season, 590 cases of influenza have been confirmed. Among them, 587 are type A (H3N2), known as the Hong Kong flu strain, which has been circulating in Kazakhstan since 2001. A few cases of type A (H1N1) have also been detected.

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