During a working trip to the Karaganda region, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reviewed the modernization of Balkhash's municipal, energy, and social infrastructure as part of the tasks set by the Head of State to improve the quality of life for citizens. The visits included the Balkhash Combined Heat and Power Plant (CHP), a new angiographic center at the multidisciplinary hospital, and the Balkhash Industrial Zone.

In May of this year, a new center providing round-the-clock emergency assistance for acute vascular conditions was launched at the multidisciplinary hospital. The project was financed in part through illegally exported assets returned to the country, with 1 billion tenge allocated for this purpose from the Special State Fund. In addition, medical equipment was acquired using funds from the republican budget, including an angiographic system, a CT scanner, and an MRI scanner.

The Prime Minister was briefed on measures being taken to improve the quality of medical services provided to citizens. Specifically, high-tech specialized and endovascular care has been made accessible to approximately 150,000 residents of Balkhash, Priozersk, and the Shet and Aktogay districts. The project allows for adherence to the "golden hour" principle during emergency conditions and generally expands timely care coverage for patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases and strokes.

Samat Kenzhibayev, Head of the Karaganda Region Healthcare Department, reported that 148 angiographic studies and endovascular interventions have been performed since July of this year, including 70 stenting and balloon angioplasty procedures. Timely surgical intervention saved 70 lives.

The Prime Minister instructed the regional akimat to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the facility and to pay special attention to the further development of human resources.

During a conversation with local healthcare workers, Olzhas Bektenov outlined future plans for social infrastructure development.

"The President announced the launch of a Large-Scale Construction Program. This primarily concerns social infrastructure. Funds are being directed to precisely these kinds of medical facilities, educational centers, utility networks, and water supply systems—everything that directly impacts the quality of life for citizens. The ongoing social reform will also free up funds for medical facilities needed by residents 'here and now.' At the same time, state support will be maintained for vulnerable categories. The reform will affect only high-income individuals. Financial measures of state support must be provided to citizens and families who are genuinely in need," Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

The Prime Minister also visited the Balkhash CHP. Thanks to ongoing measures, the power plant was brought out of the high-risk "red zone" by the end of 2025. This year, the entire planned volume of main equipment repairs, totaling 3.2 billion tenge, has been fully completed.

Currently, a comprehensive set of measures to modernize and expand capacities is underway at the CHP. Construction of boiler unit No. 5, valued at 30.3 billion tenge, is ongoing. To date, the installation of the main equipment has been completed, while construction of the boiler shop building, the fuel feed line, and design work for modern gas-cleaning equipment are underway. Upon completion of the project, the plant's steam capacity will increase by 270 tons per hour. The next phase envisages the installation of a new turbine unit No. 5 costing 28.7 billion tenge. Its commissioning will increase the plant's installed electrical capacity by 65 MW and boost thermal capacity by 55 Gcal/h. Project completion is scheduled for late 2028.

Olzhas Bektenov emphasized that providing citizens with uninterrupted heat supply is a top priority for the akimat. During the 2025–2026 autumn-winter heating season, 17 Class II outages were recorded at the Balkhash CHP. The regional headquarters was instructed to continuously monitor operations and prevent heating disruptions in the city.

During his visit to the Balkhash Industrial Zone, the Prime Minister reviewed tourism projects being implemented, as well as plans for the further development of hotel and recreational infrastructure. This year, six new recreation centers were opened with total investments of 5.3 billion tenge, and work began on two four-star hotel construction projects. In parallel, utility and coastal infrastructure is being developed, creating the conditions for a modern, year-round tourism cluster on the shores of the lake.

#Olzhas Bektenov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Energy #Healthcare #Industry #Regions #Tourism

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