Kazakhstan ranked first in the STADA Health Report 2026 for readiness to seek medical advice from AI. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The survey was conducted by the international research company Human8 in February–March 2026. It involved 19,514 people aged 18 to 99 from 20 countries.

According to the study, 71% of Kazakhstanis use artificial intelligence on health issues, and 74% allow medical consultations with AI at least sometimes. This is far above the average of other countries — 55%.

People of different ages consult AI. Among Kazakhstanis under 35, 79% turn to it on health issues, among those aged 35 to 54 — 71%, and among those over 55 — 61%.

32% of respondents use AI to better understand their diagnosis, while 31% receive recommendations on prevention, nutrition, lifestyle and physical activity.

Another 24% turn to AI for a second opinion after consulting a doctor. Every fifth respondent uses the technology before visiting a specialist.

Nevertheless, Kazakhstanis are not ready to give up doctors.

Among the 74% who allow medical consultations with AI, only 11% are ready to receive recommendations without additional conditions. For 26%, it is important that a doctor checks the neural network's recommendations.

A similar attitude has formed toward the use of AI in treatment. 51% of Kazakhstanis would like AI to help a doctor adjust a treatment plan. Only 7% are ready to fully entrust AI with drawing up such a plan.

69% of respondents admit that it is difficult for them to navigate the large amount of medical information and distinguish reliable information from unreliable.

94% of respondents allow self-treatment at least in certain situations. For example, 78% treat colds and flu symptoms on their own. Another 67% treat minor pains themselves, and 48% — mild gastrointestinal disorders.

The main reason is previous experience: 54% believe they already know which medicines help them. Another 41% treat themselves to avoid waiting for a doctor's appointment, and 28% link it to high prices for medicine.

At the same time, 15% of Kazakhstanis have already encountered negative consequences of self-treatment.

At the same time, satisfaction with the state healthcare system has grown. In 2026, 43% of Kazakhstanis are satisfied with its work, compared with 36% a year earlier. In 2024, the figure was 28%.

59% of respondents name the shortage of specialists and long waiting times for care among the main problems of medicine. Another 54% speak of limited access to services at an affordable price.

64% of Kazakhstanis named improving access to doctors and clinics as the main priority for developing the healthcare system. Another 45% would like to increase the availability of medical care in the regions, and 43% — to reduce queues and increase the number of specialists.

Despite active digitalization, personal communication with a doctor remains preferable. 74% of respondents choose in-person consultations, and 84% prefer to undergo preventive examinations in person.

Prevention remains a weak point. 56% of Kazakhstanis do not undergo any of the available preventive examinations. Some of these examinations are undergone by 35% of respondents, and all available ones — only 9%.

On average, among the 20 countries, 33% of participants do not undergo any preventive examination, while 18% undergo all available ones.

33% of Kazakhstanis say that if they were given 100 euros a month that could be spent only on health, they would direct this money to prevention and examinations.

The prevalence of self-treatment does not make this approach safe. Earlier, Kursiv Health wrote about why one should not treat oneself during the ARVI season.

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