Atameken reviews progress on the “Digital Tenge in Healthcare” pilot project

The National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan «Atameken» convened a meeting to review progress on the “Digital Tenge in Healthcare” pilot project. The project implements President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s instruction, issued at the expanded Government meeting on 10 February 2026, to transition to a digital model using modern technologies, as well as his instruction to fully digitalise the operations of the Social Health Insurance Fund by the end of the year.

The meeting brought together representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Healthcare, the National Bank, the State Treasury Committee, the Social Health Insurance Fund, SK-Pharmacy LLP, commercial banks and the business community. It was chaired by Zhenis Taishytayev, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Atameken.

Discussions focused on the transition to the digital tenge for the procurement of and payment for healthcare services, medicines and medical devices, as well as the allocation of responsibilities among the state, the Fund and suppliers during the transition.

Opening the meeting, Zhenis Taishytayev described the pilot project as an important step in the digitalisation of public finances and a new mechanism for businesses. He then invited Aidar Mekebekov, First Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of the Social Health Insurance Fund, to deliver welcoming remarks.

Aidar Mekebekov outlined the progress made to date. A working group comprising representatives of the relevant government bodies and organisations has been established, and a draft order of the Minister of Finance approving the rules for implementing the pilot project has been prepared. A roadmap has also been approved, procurement and payment processes for healthcare services, medicines and medical devices have been developed, and pilot participants have been identified. Work is also underway to integrate the relevant information systems with the digital tenge platform.

Talgat Kassymbekov, Managing Director of the Digital Development Centre of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, presented the Digital Tenge project. He reported that more than 20 pilot projects have been implemented, approximately 10 are underway and over 50 are being prepared for launch. He also noted that the platform’s legal status has been established through a package of amendments to the new banking law.

“In our expert opinion submitted to the Ministry of Finance on 19 August, the National Chamber set out its proposals on the draft rules governing the pilot project to introduce digital tenge payments for healthcare services, medicines and medical devices under the guaranteed package of free medical care and the compulsory social health insurance system. Our key proposals focused on ensuring a clear and secure rollout without transferring technical, financial or administrative risks to businesses,” Zhenis Taishytayev stated in his closing remarks.

Following the meeting, Atameken emphasised the importance of incorporating businesses’ proposals and reaffirmed its readiness to continue working with all stakeholders, including through further discussions on the pilot project’s implementation and results.