He has requested design estimates and issues raised have been addressed.

“The connection (between buildings) will allow the doctors and patients to get to another department without going outside, which will undoubtedly facilitate the doctors’ work and create more comfortable conditions for patients,” reported the akimat (administration) press service.

The connector will have a reception room with a comprehensive diagnostic department. Kulginov requested a proposal for the exterior hallways, as well as a plan for an expanded parking lot, as the current one lacks the capacity to accommodate patient and visitor vehicles. During his meeting with doctors, the latter highlighted the need to purchase new computer tomography (CT) equipment.

In addition, they told Kulginov about the new red, yellow, green structure that allows for more efficient operation.

“The red sector is for emergency patients who come with life-threatening conditions. Intensive care units are organised here; a patient can be transferred to the respiration aid apparatus immediately, his heart can be started and so on. During a major bus accident, all 29 victims came to us in a red sector; they (the doctors) helped everyone and saved their lives. In the yellow sector, we have check-up rooms. A patient in this department can be tested, get the doctor’s advice,” said doctor Igor Kim, according to inastana.kz.

The green sector has an electronic patient registration system. An operator in a separate office conducts initial diagnostics and invites narrow specialists for further analysis.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Minister of Healthcare Yelzhan Birtanov, Kulginov and others met in October to discuss the quality of capital medical services, reported total.kz.

“Forty percent of (Nur-Sultan) citizens are dissatisfied with the quality of medical services. There is a shortage of medical personnel in the city. The city needs approximately 500 specialists with different backgrounds. In 2018, maternal and infant mortality rates increased. An increase is noted this year as well,” said Tokayev.

In particular, he emphasised the critical condition of Central Railway Hospital.

“The emergency condition of the Central Railway Hospital deserves our special attention. Major repairs of the building did not happen for 60 years. At the same time, the hospital serves one of the most densely populated areas of the capital. About 400,000 people (who use the hospital services) live in the Saryarka District,” he noted.

Birtanov indicated the hospital cannot be repaired and is slated for demolition. A new medical facility will be available in the neighbourhood by 2023.

“Due to the fact that wear and tear at this hospital already exceeds the standards, there is a need to rebuild this hospital. A decision was made to start construction next year for this hospital and the nearest perinatal centre on the new site and complete it in 2023,” he said, according to tengrinews.kz.

Kulginov said a Turkish investor has expressed interest in funding the new hospital. Once the private cottages are rased, construction will begin on the tract.