Kazakhstan’s Old Presidential Residence Becomes a Lifeline for Disabled Children
A former presidential residence in Kostanay Region has been transformed into a cutting-edge rehabilitation centre for children with disabilities. The facility opened its doors after President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered the repurposing of unused state properties for social use. Funding and services for people with disabilities in the area have also seen a major boost this year.
The newly launched centre now provides specialised care previously limited to national-level medical institutions. It offers a full range of services, including therapeutic and adaptive physical education, mechanotherapy, ergotherapy, and dedicated therapy rooms. Equipped with advanced high-tech rehabilitation devices, the facility aims to raise annual rehabilitation coverage from 400 to 900 children aged 1.5 to 18. Treatment courses have also been extended from 14 to 21 days.
The Qazaqstan Khalkyna Fund contributed one billion tenge to purchase modern rehabilitation equipment for the centre. This investment supports its mission to expand access to critical services across the region. Beyond the new centre, Kostanay has broadened support for people with disabilities. Initiatives now include invataksi (accessible taxi services), hippotherapy, wheelchair repairs, and escorted trips to sanatoriums for children and individuals with first-group disabilities. Regional funding for disability programs has surged, with over 15 billion tenge allocated in 2024 alone.
The centre is already admitting children from across Kostanay Region. Its expanded capacity and extended treatment programmes will provide more families with access to essential rehabilitation. The repurposed facility and increased funding reflect a wider push to improve disability support services in Kazakhstan.
