Kazakhstan- The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has organized a significant financing package of €365 million to fund the construction and operation of the first healthcare facility management public-private partnership (PPP) project in Kazakhstan, marking a new chapter for healthcare in Central Asia. This groundbreaking initiative involves a multidisciplinary hospital in Kokshetau with a capacity of 630 beds, managed by a subsidiary of Rönesans Holding, a long-standing EBRD client based in Türkiye.
The financing arrangement, which includes the EBRD’s own contribution of €105 million, brings together support from five additional institutions: the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the German investment corporation DEG, the Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector (ICD), Proparco (part of Agence Française de Développement), and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (DBK). Together, these organizations are providing up to €260 million in parallel loans, marking a strong collaborative effort in establishing sustainable healthcare infrastructure in the region.
At the heart of this project lies the development of a 110,000-square-meter greenfield healthcare facility, which will serve Kokshetau’s population of over 730,000 residents, along with those in the surrounding Akmola region. The hospital aims to deliver advanced standards of medical care while also setting a digital benchmark for the nation’s healthcare sector with a state-of-the-art hospital information management system (HIMS). This HIMS, operated on a 24-hour basis, will be managed by the private partner and serve as a model for digital healthcare management in Kazakhstan, aligning with the nation’s broader goals for digital transformation in the health sector. Medical services at the hospital, however, will be overseen by Turar Healthcare, a state-owned, non-profit healthcare operator.
The project’s environmental standards have been a primary consideration, with the hospital pursuing “Silver” certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building standards. Additionally, the project will aim for EDGE certification to support energy and water savings, underscoring the commitment to sustainable and environmentally responsible healthcare infrastructure.
EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting that PPPs represent an effective model for fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors. She emphasized the role of PPPs in advancing sustainable healthcare solutions, introducing new technologies, and enhancing the quality of medical services. This PPP model is expected to open up new possibilities in healthcare infrastructure development in Kazakhstan, potentially serving as a model for other Central Asian nations as well.
To date, EBRD has made significant investments in Kazakhstan, totaling €10 billion across 330 projects, with a strong focus on private sector entrepreneurship. This healthcare PPP project in Kokshetau stands as a testament to EBRD’s ongoing commitment to transformative projects that support economic growth, sustainability, and improved quality of life in Kazakhstan. Through this collaboration, the hospital in Kokshetau is set to become a regional milestone for healthcare, demonstrating how PPPs can effectively bridge the gap between public needs and private expertise, all while promoting sustainable and modern healthcare solutions.
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