SKMA

The Department of “Social Medicine and Healthcare Management, with a Course on the Organization of Emergency Medical Care in Emergencies and the History of Medicine” was established by Order No. 35, dated 31 January 1995, at the Shymkent State Medical Institute (ShGMI). The first head of the department was Professor Turlybekov Z.T., Doctor of Medical Sciences.
In the 1998–1999 academic year, the department was merged with the Department of General Hygiene and Ecology and headed by Professor Altynbekov B.E., Doctor of Medical Sciences.
In the 1999–2000 academic year, the Department of “Social Medicine and Healthcare Management” was headed by Professor Dairbekov O.D., Doctor of Medical Sciences.
Since 2001, the department has been led by Professor Buleshov M.A., Doctor of Medical Sciences.
Since 2007, the department has trained Master’s students in the scientific and pedagogical track.

Under the leadership of the department head, two research projects were implemented:
1. “Identifying Problems in the Implementation of Mandatory Social Health Insurance in Healthcare Institutions (Case Study: Shymkent)” 2. “Health Academy”

Since 2009, the department has expanded its Master’s training to include both scientific–pedagogical and specialized tracks.
The department also supervises PhD students.
By the Decision of the Board of Directors dated 13 April 2018, and Order No. 3, the department “Public Health” was renamed “Social Health Insurance and Public Health.”
Since June 2018, the head of the department has been Associate Professor Sarsenbayeva G.Zh., Candidate of Medical Sciences.
Starting in the 2021–2022 academic year the department began training PhD (Philosophy Doctor) students.
By the Decision of the Academic Council dated 27 August 2025, and Minutes No. 2, the department “Social Health Insurance and Public Health” was renamed “Public Health and Healthcare.”

Objectives of the Department of Public Health and Healthcare
To develop students’ competencies in applying core principles of:
- disease prevention and health promotion,
- human resource management in healthcare organizations and their subdivisions,
- healthcare organization and policy implementation.

Educational Programs Offered
- 6B10111 – Public Health
- 6B10118 – Medical Preventive Care
- 6B10101 – General Medicine
- 6B10115 – Medicine
- 6B10102 – Pediatrics
- 6B10116 – Pediatrics
- 6B10103 – Dentistry
- 6B10117 – Dentistry

Disciplines Taught by the Department
For 6B10111 – Public Health:
1. Introduction to the Profession
2. Quality Management
3. Fundamentals of Project Management in Healthcare Quality
4. Healthcare Management
5. Public Health
6. Medical Care Quality Assessment
7. Social Health Insurance
8. Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Medicine
9. Financial Management in Healthcare
10. Sociology and Psychology of Health
11. Health Policy and Legislation
12. Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

For 6B10118 – Medical Preventive Care:
1. Healthcare Statistics
2. Bioethics in Healthcare Research

For 6B10101 – General Medicine:
1. Fundamentals of Scientific Research
2. CSHI and Medical Law

For 6B10115 – Medicine:
1. Public Health and the Foundations of Evidence-Based Medicine

For 6B10102 – Pediatrics:
1. Fundamentals of Scientific Research
2. CSHI and Medical Law

For 6B10116 – Pediatrics:
1. Public Health and the Foundations of Evidence-Based Medicine

For 6B10103 – Dentistry:
1. CSHI and Medical Law

For 6B10117 – Dentistry:
1. Bioethics and Conduct of Medical Research
2. Public Health and the Foundations of Evidence-Based Medicine

Curriculum Updates
The department’s disciplines are reviewed and updated annually to ensure alignment with national educational standards, WHO recommendations, and advances in public health practice.

Scientific Priorities
- PUBLIC health
- Evidence-based medicine in healthcare
- Healthcare legislation and policy
- Medical ethics and deontology
- Social determinants of health
- Healthcare management and administration
- Digital transformation and AI applications in healthcare