THREE EXHIBITIONS — ONE SYNERGY OF INNOVATION: KIHE, PHARMATECH KAZAKHSTAN AND VISIONCARE 2026 OPENED IN ALMATY

TODAY, ON MAY 20, THE TERRITORY OF THE ATAKENT EXHIBITION CENTER IN ALMATY HOSTED THE OPENING OF THREE SPECIALIZED EVENTS IN THE FIELDS OF HEALTHCARE, PHARMACEUTICALS AND OPHTHALMOLOGY SIMULTANEOUSLY — THE 31ST KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL HEALTHCARE EXHIBITION KIHE 2026, THE 3RD KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION “EQUIPMENT, INGREDIENTS & TECHNOLOGIES FOR PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY” PHARMATECH KAZAKHSTAN 2026, AND THE 1ST KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION “OPTICS – OPTOMETRY – OPHTHALMOLOGY” VISIONCARE 2026.  

The exhibition projects brought together representatives of the medical, pharmaceutical and scientific communities, manufacturers of equipment and technologies, specialized governmental structures, industry associations, practicing specialists and experts from different countries around the world. 

In 2026, nearly 400 companies from 24 countries participated as exhibitors, including Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Egypt, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, China, Latvia, the UAE, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, the USA, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, France, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and South Korea. National pavilions were presented by Belarus, Germany, China, Russia, Uzbekistan and the Czech Republic. Collective stands were also organized by the Autonomous non-profit organization “Russian Export Center”, “Made in Yamal” Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Area, Autonomous non-profit organization “Moscow Export Center”, as well as the Ryazan and Kaluga regions. Among the participants are 110 companies from Kazakhstan and 287 international companies, confirming the high level of international participation and the significance of the exhibition for the professional medical community of the region. 

A distinctive feature of the 2026 exhibition season was the first-ever joint holding of all three exhibitions — KIHE, PharmaTECH Kazakhstan and VisionCare. The combination of these areas made it possible to create a unified professional platform for showcasing modern medical technologies, equipment, pharmaceutical solutions, innovations in diagnostics, rehabilitation, ophthalmology and digital medicine. An additional highlight of the first day was the organization of a Job Fair for students of medical educational institutions together with the Kazakhstan Medical University “KSPH”, aimed at developing the industry’s human resources potential and supporting young professionals. 

 

The central place in the first day’s agenda was occupied by the business programme events of Rehab Kazakhstan 2026 and Pharma Dialogue: Kazakhstan 2026, dedicated to current issues in the development of the healthcare system and pharmaceutical industry. As part of Rehab Kazakhstan 2026, a plenary session titled “Rehabilitation as a New Vector for the Development of Kazakhstan’s Healthcare System” was held, bringing together experts in medical rehabilitation, representatives of clinics and professional associations. 

The exhibitions were officially launched with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the exposition and the start of the business programme. The key topic of the first day was the discussion of the future of Kazakhstan’s pharmaceutical industry. Participants of the plenary session “Pharmaceutical Market 2026: System Sustainability, Localization and New Regulatory Models” included: 

• Gauhar Raimkulova – Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Medical and Pharmaceutical Control of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan; 

• Aigul Telesheva – Head of the Medical Industry Development Department of the Department for the Development of Pharmaceutical and Medical Industry of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan; 

• Dauren Dikhanbayev – Director General – Member of the Board of the National Center for Expertise of Medicines and Medical Devices; 

• Nurlybek Assylbekov – Chairman of the Board of SK-Pharmacy LLP “Public Procurement–2026: Direct Contracts, Long-Term Models and Demand Forecasting as a Factor of Market Sustainability”; 

• Nurzhan Otarbayev – Chairman of the Committee for Pharmaceutical, Medical Industry and Medical Services of the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken”; 

• Ruslan Kozhakhmet – Executive Director of the Association of Pharmaceutical Product Distributors of the Republic of Kazakhstan; 

• Zhibek Kerimbayeva – IQVIA Director for Kazakhstan and the CIS. 

The session was moderated by Vyacheslav Lokshin, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, President of the Kazakhstan Association of Reproductive Medicine, Rector of the International Academy of Reproductology, President of the Association of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. 

In her welcoming letter, Minister of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan A. A. Alnazarova noted: “The development of healthcare is closely linked to the introduction of innovative technologies, modernization of medical infrastructure and strengthening international cooperation. Exhibitions make a significant contribution to solving these tasks by promoting the exchange of experience, establishment of new partnerships, attraction of investments and implementation of advanced technologies into practical healthcare. The presented technologies, equipment and innovative solutions contribute to the improvement of medical infrastructure, strengthening the potential of the pharmaceutical industry, enhancing the quality of medical care and implementing international standards in the activities of medical organizations. I am confident that participation in the exhibitions will become a source of new professional opportunities, promising business contacts and productive dialogue for you”. 

At the dialogue platform, experts discussed investments, VAT abolition and market digitalization. The plenary session concluded with a signing ceremony of a strategic cooperation agreement between MEDIKER and International SOS. The document was signed by Anar Zhumakhanova, Chairperson of the Board of MEDIKER LLP, and Dr. Miles Neri, Medical Director of the International SOS Group. 

The programme continued with the panel discussion “Modern Methods of Comprehensive Rehabilitation in Line with the ICF Principles: From Exercise Therapy to Prosthetics, Sports, Post-Operative and Neuromechanical Practice”, where participants discussed modern approaches to rehabilitation medicine, implementation of multidisciplinary practices and innovative technologies. Within the framework of the case session “Equipment and Technologies in Rehabilitation: Clinical Effectiveness and Innovative Treatment Methods”, practical solutions and modern developments for rehabilitation medicine were presented. 

Later, the strategic session “Kazakhstan’s Pharmaceutical Market 2026: VAT, Investment, Exports and Industrial Infrastructure” took place, where experts discussed the industry’s investment potential, export opportunities and the development of production infrastructure. Another important topic was the digitalization of the industry, discussed within the strategic session “Digital Pharma 2026: Governance, Transparency and Medicines Supply”. 

Throughout the day, the exhibition venue also hosted specialized seminars by ALGIMED, Gemokor, BAUPHARM, EndoEcoMed, Yuwell, CITY PHARM, LABTECHNOLOGY, WELLGO Logistics Kazakhstan, LEORA, Endo Star and ElectronTest, where modern medical technologies, laboratory equipment and innovative solutions for diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and medical practice were presented. 

The first day of KIHE 2026, PharmaTECH Kazakhstan 2026 and VisionCare 2026 confirmed the high level of engagement of the professional community and the relevance of international dialogue in the healthcare sector. During the following days, participants will continue discussing key areas of industry development, implementation of innovative technologies, improvement of healthcare quality and expansion of international cooperation. 

Official support was provided by the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of the city of Almaty, Public Health Department of Almaty, SK-Pharmacy LLP, Association of International Pharmaceutical Manufacturers in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty Medical Tourism Association, Eurasian Medical Association, Association for Support and Development of Pharmaceutical Activities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kazakh Society of Anesthesiologists and Intensivists, and the Kazakh Society of Neuromodulation.  

Strategic partners of the business programme: Association of Rehabilitation and Balneologists of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Healthcare Managers Association, Qaz.AI Association for Artificial Intelligence Development, PERSONA Clinic, KMC Group, INTERNA Clinic  

General Media Partner – 1MEDTV Kazakhstan TV Channel 

Bronze Partner of the Rehab Kazakhstan Conference – European Medical Center JSC 

Photo Zone Partner of the VisionCare Exhibition – LUCY Eye Clinic 

The event is organized by the Kazakhstani exhibition company Iteca jointly with its international partner ICA Events Group. 

The exhibition doors will remain open until May 22 inclusive, and industry professionals are welcome to attend upon prior registration on the event websites.