Kazakhstan sees a rise in the number of consents for posthumous organ donation and an increase in the total number of transplantations. This positive trend reflects both the advancement of medicine and growing social awareness, El.kz reports.
According to the Ministry of Health, the number of transplantations performed in the country increased from 23 to 68 operations in 2025, a 2.4-fold increase compared to the previous year. The number of organ donors tripled, rising from 6 to 18 individuals.
This dynamic indicates not only the development of medical infrastructure but also a gradual shift in public perception toward donation. An increasing number of Kazakhstani citizens are making the conscious decision to help others even after death.
Digitalization and Growing Awareness
Digitalization plays a significant role in this process. Through the eGov.kz portal, citizens can formally give their consent or refuse regarding posthumous donation.
According to the Ministry of Health, the total number of applications on the platform grew by 38%. Within this, the number of consents surged by 70%, while the number of refusals also rose, though less significantly, by 26%.
Experts note that these indicators signal increased public awareness and the formation of a more conscious attitude toward donation issues.
One Donor - Dozens of Lives Saved
Posthumous donation is an opportunity to save multiple people at once. In 2025, thanks to organ donation, approximately 200 patients were helped.
A notable case occurred in Astana, where a woman born in 1981 became a donor. After she was declared brain dead, her relatives gave their consent for donation. As a result, her organs were transplanted into patients from different regions of the country, including heart, lung, liver, and kidney transplants.
Such stories vividly demonstrate how a single decision can change the fates of several families.
Expanding Medical Capabilities
As of January 1, 2026, Kazakhstan has significantly expanded the list of services in the field of transplantology. It now includes keratoplasty and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
According to legislative changes, these types of medical care can now be provided not only by state facilities but also by private clinics, provided they hold the appropriate license. This increases the accessibility of high-tech medical services and reduces waiting times for patients.
Growth of the Donation System
Positive trends are also observed in systemic indicators. While 49 potential donors were identified in the country in 2023, that number increased to 186 by 2025.
The number of successfully completed donor processes also grew: from 7 cases in 2023 to 19 cases in 2025. These specific processes allowed for the saving of approximately 200 lives.
This proves that the transplantation system in Kazakhstan is becoming more organized and efficient.
Demand Still Outstrips Supply
Despite these positive changes, the need for donor organs remains high. Currently, there are 4,506 patients on the transplantation waitlist, including 123 children.
For many of them, a transplant is their only chance at life, and every new donor can significantly shorten this queue.
The Social Significance of Donation
Posthumous donation is gradually becoming an important part of social responsibility. The growth in the number of consents shows that Kazakhstanis are increasingly considering the possibility of helping others even after their own lives have ended.
The development of a culture of donation and public awareness plays a key role, as every such decision represents lives saved.
