The readiness of Kazakhstan to implementation of medicinal insurance: the sociological substantiation and education activities of public organizations

Abstract

Until recently, in Kazakhstan, both health care services and medication support of population were financed from National budget and compulsory social health insurance foundation. But actual system meet needs of Kazakhstanis in medications not in full measure. The purpose of the study is to identify readiness of citizens to implementation of new medicinal insurance program with state co-financing. The study was carried out in 2022 in 17 regions of Kazakhstan. The readiness of Kazakhstanis to participate in medicinal insurance program with state co-financing was studied through sociological survey of 5 819 Kazakhstanis. The sociological survey revealed that respondents express average degree of readiness to implementation of new medicinal insurance program with state co-financing and to purchasing of insurance policy. The correlation between social demographic characteristics (objective indicators) and readiness indicator (subjective indicator) was revealed. The younger males with higher education, residing in urban areas, with average and high income and officially married are more inclined to purchase insurance policy. At that, according to results of sociological survey, one third of respondents have no relevant information about health insurance in general and medicinal insurance in particular. They found it difficult to express their personal position about this issues. It is supposed that Kazakhstanis in the result of educational measures will take part in medicinal insurance program with state co-financing. The education projects can be implemented through public organizations operating locally and communicating with population at the micro level. It is determined that it is especially important to apply educational measures to rural residents, middle-aged and elderly people, females and persons with low average income per family member.