REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF OPHTHALMOLOGISTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

Introduction. It is estimated, that 36 million people are blind worldwide and about one-fifth of the world's population
experience vision loss. The majority of vision loss (90%) is preventable or treatable. Thus, access to the eye care is critical in
improving eye health status of the whole population. The study of ophthalmologist density allows in general to judge the
availability of eye care to the population. Along with this, the staffing level of specialists has a significant impact on the quality
of medical care.
Aim: to analyze the ratio of ophthalmologists per 1 million population across the regions of Kazakhstan in the period of
2015-2020 years, as well as a separately study the staffing rate of pediatric ophthalmologists
Materials and methods. A comparative retrospective descriptive analysis of the ratio of ophthalmologists per 1 million
population across the regions of Kazakhstan for the period of 2015-2020 was carried out according to the data from the
statistical collections “Health of the population of Kazakhstan and the activities of healthcare organizations”. A descriptive
analysis of the staffing of pediatric ophthalmologists was performed according to the information system "Resource
Management System" on the date of October 1st, 2020.
Results. In 2015, the ratio of ophthalmologists was 81.5 ophthalmologists per 1 million population. The ratio of ophthalmologists
increased in 2016 to 89.9 per 1 million population. Then it showed downward trend during the study period. However, there was a
significant variation among the regions of our country, as well as between urban and rural population. During the study period the
highest ophthalmologist density was observed in Almaty city, the lowest in Almaty region. In 2020, the average national provision of
ophthalmologists for urban population was 114.5 per 1 million population, while for rural population it was 19.2. In 2015, the ratio of
pediatric ophthalmologists was 10.6 per 1 million pediatric population. The staffing rate of pediatric ophthalmologists varied
significantly by region from 0% (Atyrau region) to 100% (Zhambyl and Turkestan regions).
Conclusion. There is high regional disparity in distribution of ophthalmologists in the Republic of Kazakhstan, with
significantly more specialists concentrated in urban areas. The staffing rate of pediatric ophthalmologists is also unequal
between the regions.