MORE THAN 5,600 PROFESSIONAL VISITORS AND 400 COMPANIES FROM 24 COUNTRIES: RESULTS OF THIS YEAR’S KIHE, PHARMATECH KAZAKHSTAN AND VISIONCARE EXHIBITIONS

FROM MAY 20 TO 22, 2026, THREE MAJOR INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY EVENTS TOOK PLACE SIMULTANEOUSLY AT THE ATAKENT EXHIBITION CENTRE IN ALMATY: THE 31ST KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL HEALTHCARE EXHIBITION KIHE 2026, THE 3RD KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION “EQUIPMENT, RAW MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY” PHARMATECH KAZAKHSTAN 2026, AND THE 1ST KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION “OPTICS – OPTOMETRY – OPHTHALMOLOGY” VISIONCARE 2026.

Over the course of three days, the exhibitions brought together the professional community, attracting 5,616 unique visitors who highlighted the event’s strong potential for building partnerships: “I have been visiting the exhibition since around 2014, so I have been able to observe its development over time. For the Kazakhstan market, this is truly a valuable platform that creates opportunities for finding new partners and developing professional contacts”, shared Merey Yelubayeva, Executive Director of MEDITOR.

The exhibitions featured 400 companies from 24 countries, including Australia, Belarus, Belgium, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the UAE, the USA, and Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan was represented by 110 companies, while another 287 participants arrived from abroad, once again confirming the exhibition platform’s high international status.

Particular attention was drawn to the national pavilions of Belarus, Germany, China, Russia, Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic, as well as collective stands organised by leading export organisations and regional associations, including the Autonomous non-profit organization “Russian Export Center”, “Made in Yamal” Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, Moscow Export Center, and companies and organisations from the Ryazan and Kaluga regions.

A significant innovation of 2026 was the first joint staging of KIHE, PharmaTECH Kazakhstan and VisionCare exhibitions, which made it possible to unite related healthcare sectors and create a comprehensive industry ecosystem. Another important initiative was the Job Fair for students of medical educational institutions, organised by the Association of Clinics of Almaty together with the Kazakhstan Medical University KSPH, creating additional opportunities for the professional development of young specialists and interaction with employers.

The business programme of the exhibitions traditionally became the centre of professional dialogue and discussion of strategic industry issues. On May 20, the Rehab Kazakhstan 2026 Forum was held, focusing on modern rehabilitation and the prospects for the development of this field in Kazakhstan. During the plenary session, participants discussed “Rehabilitation as a New Vector for the Development of Kazakhstan’s Healthcare System”. The discussion continued with the panel session “Modern Methods of Comprehensive Rehabilitation in Line with the ICF Principles: From Exercise Therapy to Prosthetics, Sports, Post-Operative and Neuromechanical Practice”, as well as the case session “Equipment and Technologies in Rehabilitation: Clinical Effectiveness and Innovative Treatment Methods”.

On the same day, the Pharma Dialogue: Kazakhstan 2026 business platform brought together representatives of the pharmaceutical market, government bodies and businesses. During the plenary session “Pharmaceutical Market 2026: System Sustainability, Localization and New Regulatory Models”, key directions for industry development were outlined. Strategic discussions continued within the sessions “Kazakhstan’s Pharmaceutical Market 2026: VAT, Investment, Exports and Industrial Infrastructure” and “Digital Pharma 2026: Governance, Transparency and Medicines Supply”.

The first day’s programme was complemented by specialised seminars from ALGIMED, Gemokor, BAUPHARM, EndoEcoMed, Yuwell, CITY PHARM, LABTECHNOLOGY, WELLGO Logistics Kazakhstan, LEORA, Endo Star and Elektrontest, which presented practical solutions and innovative developments.

On May 21, the business programme continued with the II Forum of Healthcare Managers of Kazakhstan, where issues of strategic healthcare management were discussed. The key topics included the plenary session “Healthcare System 2026: State Strategy and the Role of Management”, the case session “AI and Data in Healthcare Management: From a Data-Driven Hospital to Digital Solutions”, and the discussion “Caution: Medical Marketing! Ethics, Boundaries and the Patient Journey”.

Following discussions on strategic industry development issues, special attention was given to the panel discussion “Women in Healthcare: Leadership, Resilience and the Future of the Healthcare System”, dedicated to the role of women in shaping a sustainable and effective healthcare system. A welcome video address was delivered by Ceren Guven Gures, Head of the UN Women Central Asia Coordination Office, who noted the significant contribution of women to the industry and the need to expand their participation in decision-making: “Women are already the foundation of Kazakhstan’s healthcare system: today they account for approximately 70–72% of doctors and up to 94% of mid-level medical personnel. The next step is obvious — women should not only be the foundation of the system but also its leaders, making decisions and shaping the architecture of future healthcare”. A separate video address to forum participants was delivered by Aida Balayeva, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who emphasised women’s contribution to healthcare development and the importance of unlocking their professional and leadership potential: “In Kazakhstan, women make up 83% of healthcare workers — more than 28,000 doctors and around 170,000 mid-level medical professionals. Behind these figures stand high professionalism, great responsibility and daily dedication. Therefore, supporting women, creating equal opportunities and developing their leadership potential remain an important part of state policy”. The messages delivered during the session outlined a common direction for the industry’s development: women are already the driving force of the healthcare system, and further strengthening their leadership positions is becoming an important condition for the sustainability, effectiveness and long-term transformation of healthcare.

At the same time, the specialised programme “The Vision and Optical Market in Kazakhstan” was held, dedicated to the development of the optical sector. During the plenary session, participants discussed “Kazakhstan’s Optical Market 2026: Policy, Economics, Quality Standards and Digital Solutions”, while Actual Optic presented its practical case study during the seminar “27 Years at the Top: How to Create a Niche with No Competitors”.

The final day, May 22, was dedicated to the professional medical agenda. The spotlight was on the session “Intensive Care and Anesthesiology: Current Challenges and Innovative Technologies”, organised by the Kazakh Society of Anesthesiologists and Intensivists.

The exhibitions once again confirmed Almaty’s status as a key platform for international professional dialogue in medicine, pharmaceuticals and medical technologies. They demonstrated the industry’s strong interest in innovation, interdisciplinary cooperation and the joint search for solutions for the further development of healthcare systems not only in Kazakhstan but throughout the Central Asian region. The high level of organisation encourages visitors to plan their return next year: “Such exhibitions become an important professional platform where specialists from different areas of healthcare can exchange experience, discuss current issues and learn about new trends. I am very pleased that such events are held in our country, and now I plan to attend the exhibition regularly”, said Elena Zimina, Director of Amarants.

 

The exhibitions were held with the official support of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of the city of Almaty, Department of Public Health of Almaty, SK-Pharmacy LLP, Association of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in Kazakhstan, Almaty Medical Tourism Association, Eurasian Medical Association, Association for Support and Development of Pharmaceutical Activities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakh Society of Anesthesiologists and Intensivists, Kazakhstan Society of Neuromodulation.

Strategic Partners of the Business Programme: Association of Rehabilitologists and Balneologists of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Healthcare Managers Association, Qaz.AI Association for Artificial Intelligence Development, PERSONA Clinic, KMC Group, INTERNA Clinic

 

General Media Partner – 1MEDTV Kazakhstan TV Channel

Bronze Partner of the Rehab Kazakhstan Conference – European Medical Center JSC

VisionCare Exhibition Photo Zone Partner – LUCY Eye Clinic