Kazakhstan Parliament Rallies for Stronger TB Response

Marking World TB Day, the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan convened a high-level hearing to reinforce national efforts to end tuberculosis (TB). Hosted in partnership with the Global TB Caucus, the session brought together Members of Parliament, government leaders, health experts, and civil society to assess progress, identify gaps, and drive political momentum for a stronger, nationally led TB response.

Aligning Kazakhstan's Parliamentary Leadership Around a Shared Goal

Held under the theme “Measures to Strengthen the National TB Response System in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” the roundtable was chaired by Hon. Guldara Aldanyshkyzy Nurumova, MP, Head of the National TB Caucus in Kazakhstan, and Co-Chair of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) Region of the Global TB Caucus. She was joined by six additional MPs, the First Vice-Minister of Health, senior ministry officials, technical experts, and civil society organizations.

The hearing came at a pivotal time as Kazakhstan prepares to transition away from external donor funding, particularly from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Discussions emphasized the importance of maintaining continuity in TB services, increasing national investments, and ensuring no one is left behind.

Key Outcomes and Parliamentary Milestones

The session directly contributed to several of the Global TB Caucus’s strategic objectives:

• Political prioritization of TB:  Parliamentarians reiterated TB as a national public health and social justice priority.

• Parliamentary review of TB targets:  The hearing served as a formal platform for reviewing national TB goals and identifying areas for improvement.

• Public commitments from MPs:  Several MPs expressed their dedication to advancing equity in TB care and closing service gaps.

• Budget advocacy:  Members of Parliament called for an increase in domestic budget allocations for TB prevention, treatment, and social support.

• Advocacy for increased Global Fund contributions:  Recognizing Kazakhstan’s transition status, MPs proposed increasing the country’s financial pledge to the Global Fund.

• Civil society engagement:  The session featured direct dialogue with national NGOs and advocates for affected communities, emphasizing the need for stronger legal and financial frameworks for social contracting.

Parliamentary Recommendations and Ministerial Follow-Up

Following the session, a set of formal recommendations was issued by the parliamentary health committee. These were followed by official requests sent to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.

1. Strengthen National Financing for TB

• Increase TB funding across prevention, treatment, social protection, and community engagement.

• Develop a long-term financing transition strategy.

2. Reinforce Global Fund Commitments

• Ensure a stable, well-coordinated transition from Global Fund support to national funding.

• Increase Kazakhstan’s contribution to the Global Fund to reflect its commitment to global solidarity.

3. Finalize Social Contracting Regulations

• Approve and implement regulations enabling NGOs to deliver TB services through state funding mechanisms.

• Allocate budget lines to support ongoing community engagement.

4. Protect the Rights of Migrants

• Guarantee migrants with TB equal access to testing, treatment, and social protection.

5. Implement UN High-Level Meeting Commitments

• Create a national roadmap for fulfilling the 2023 UN Political Declaration on TB.

• Strengthen coordination across ministries to meet international targets.

A Step Forward in Regional Leadership

Kazakhstan’s hearing is a significant step toward embedding TB accountability into political systems. By aligning national priorities with global health goals, and ensuring broad stakeholder engagement, Kazakhstan is positioning itself as a model for sustainable and equitable TB response in the EECA region.

This engagement highlights the growing role of national parliaments in accelerating health reform and underlines the importance of sustained political leadership to end TB by 2030.