A Stroke Centre in Auliekol: How Relief After the 2022 Wildfire Evolved into a Long-Term Healthcare Project
In September 2022, a major wildfire in the Auliekol District of the Kostanay Region affected 43,000 hectares. A total of 91 homes were destroyed or damaged, while more than 2,000 people were evacuated to safety. To support the region in responding to the disaster, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation allocated KZT 1.1 billion to the Kostanay Region.
Of this amount, KZT 1 billion was directed towards establishing a stroke centre at the Auliekol District Hospital, purchasing modern medical equipment and upgrading the necessary infrastructure.
Today, the centre enables residents of the Auliekol, Naurzum and Karasu districts to access essential stroke diagnostics and treatment closer to home. Previously, patients in serious condition had to be transported to Kostanay for diagnosis and treatment.
Between 2023 and 2025, 651 people with suspected stroke sought care at the centre. The opening of the centre has not only expanded the capabilities of the district hospital but has also helped attract additional medical specialists.
“Previously, we referred patients with stroke or acute heart attacks to the city. Today, we are able to provide this level of care locally. Following the opening of the stroke unit, the hospital expanded its staff and brought in new specialists. The number of neurologists increased, and we were able to bring in a neurosurgeon and cardiologists,” – said Temirkhan Begisbayev, Acting Chief Physician of the Auliekol District Hospital.
The hospital now has specialists who perform CT scans and angiographic examinations. Modern diagnostic equipment enables doctors to assess a patient’s condition promptly and determine the appropriate course of treatment.
According to Zhan Bekov, Head of the Stroke Unit, the installation of a CT scanner and angiography system made it possible to establish a fully functioning stroke unit locally. “As a result, many patients are now able to receive the treatment they need without delay,” – the doctor said.
The project extended beyond the purchase of medical equipment. The building housing the stroke unit was renovated, while the rooms for the angiography system and CT scanner were adapted to meet the relevant medical requirements.
The department was also equipped with accessible facilities for people with disabilities, and the surrounding area was improved. In addition, the hospital’s oxygen supply system was restored, allowing oxygen to be delivered directly to the rooms of critically ill patients.
Supporting people and regions affected by emergencies is an important area of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation’s work. Alongside immediate relief, the Foundation supports projects that contribute to the long-term recovery of affected regions and improve people’s quality of life.
The Auliekol Stroke Centre is one example of this approach. Launched in the aftermath of the 2022 wildfire, the project has since developed into sustainable healthcare infrastructure, enabling residents of three districts to access essential medical care closer to home.