Unregulated Alternative Medicine in Kazakhstan: A Senator's Concern
Senator Raises Question About Unconventional Health Approaches
Senator Bibigul Zhaksenbayeva has brought a pressing issue to light in her parliamentary query—the lack of regulation in alternative medicine within Kazakhstan. In her address, she pointed out that the absence of a legal framework in this sector creates a dangerous situation for patient health, degrades the quality of services, and allows unqualified individuals to peddle their medical wares, as reported by Liter.kz.
"With no concrete legal framework to govern alternative medicine, there's a high risk to patient health, subpar practitioner qualifications, and no accountability mechanisms whatsoever," Zhaksenbayeva emphasized bluntly.
She further highlighted that despite the plethora of international experience on alternative medicine, this sector in Kazakhstan has remained unregulated since the 2006 deregulation. This loose reign has given rise to unscrupulous practitioners who offer medical services without proper training or oversight.
"To tackle this issue head-on, we need to craft and implement a specialized law or regulatory act for alternative medicine. Let's install a licensing and certification system, create a registry of approved methods, and institute monitoring and oversight of practitioners. Only then can we ensure the safety of our citizens and seamlessly integrate effective practices into our healthcare system," the senator stated unequivocally.
Currently, no specific information on the legal regulation of alternative medicine in Kazakhstan is readily available. However, Kazakhstan does possess a regulatory structure for healthcare, such as fortifying its primary healthcare system, which now encompasses a more multidisciplinary approach, including mental health services and community-based support[2]. This expansion indicates that healthcare regulations are becoming more comprehensive, though the status of alternative medicine specifically remains undetailed.
Without legislation, there's a chance for lower-quality and potentially hazardous practices within alternative medicine. Patients could encounter difficulties in accessing reliable and evidence-based care if alternative practices remain unregulated. Additionally, without specific regulations, the qualifications and training standards for alternative medicine practitioners might vary greatly, potentially compromising the integrity of patient care.
As Kazakhstan continues to evolve its healthcare system, adopting a holistic approach to health as per the Alma-Ata and Astana Declarations[2], future regulations might incorporate provisions for alternative medicine, thereby enhancing both patient safety and practitioner quality. To secure the most up-to-date information, consulting local health authorities or legal resources in Kazakhstan would prove beneficial.
- Senator Bibigul Zhaksenbayeva has expressed concern over the unregulated state of alternative medicine in Kazakhstan, stating that it poses a risk to patient health, allows unqualified individuals to practice, and lacks accountability.
- To address this issue, Zhaksenbayeva suggests the creation and implementation of a specialized law or regulatory act for alternative medicine, including licensing, certification, a registry of approved methods, and monitoring of practitioners.
- While Kazakhstan does have a regulatory structure for healthcare, specific information on the legal regulation of alternative medicine is currently unavailable.
- The lack of regulation in alternative medicine could lead to lower-quality and potentially hazardous practices, making it difficult for patients to access reliable and evidence-based care.
- With growing emphasis on a holistic approach to health in Kazakhstan, future regulations might incorporate provisions for alternative medicine, improving patient safety and practitioner quality.
- To stay informed about the latest developments in policy and legislation regarding alternative medicine and health-and-wellness therapies in Kazakhstan, consulting local health authorities or legal resources is recommended.
