Atyrau Oil & Gas
So That Childre Are Healthy: Chevron Supports Fetal Medicine in Kazakhstan
Chevron, one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies, operating in numerous countries worldwide, adheres to the "three pillars" approach in its sustainable development investments. This means that the company prioritizes three key areas for social investments in the regions where it operates: healthcare, education, and economic development. To achieve the goals set by this strategy, Chevron works closely with local partners. One of its trusted partners in Kazakhstan is the AYALA Charity Foundation.
Pathologies Are Not a Verdict!
The foundation was established in 2007 to reduce infant and child mortality and disability rates in Kazakhstan.
Just a few years ago, expectant mothers facing severe fetal pathologies had little hope for medical assistance. Their only options were to either accept the inevitable or seek expensive treatment abroad, often requiring millions of tenge for in-utero surgeries. Today, the situation has changed dramatically. Fetal medicine in Kazakhstan is advancing rapidly, and complex surgeries are now being performed in Astana and Almaty, saving the lives and health of newborns.
This was the case for Yryszhan, who was expecting twins. At 24 weeks of pregnancy, she was diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a rare vascular anomaly that posed a serious threat to the survival of both babies. What could have been a tragic diagnosis was instead overcome through fetal surgery. As a result, her twins were born healthy at the Perinatology and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Center in Almaty.
A Revolution in Kazakhstani Medicine
Fetal medicine in Kazakhstan began its active development in 2023. In collaboration with the AYALA Charity Foundation, the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan organized physician training and opened two specialized fetal medicine departments in Almaty and Astana.
"The AYALA Foundation has been assisting the state for many years in reducing rates of congenital disabilities. We believed that fetal surgery would play a crucial role in this effort and that Kazakhstan needed it. That’s why we leveraged our extensive experience in medical training to prepare a team of fetal surgeons under the guidance of top international specialists. Today, Kazakhstani fetal surgeons independently perform highly complex procedures that save the lives and health of babies while they are still in the womb,” says Aidan Suleimenova, founder and president of the AYALA Charity Foundation.
Success Driven by Technology and People
In the summer of 2024, Kazakhstan performed its first fetal surgeries with the participation of international experts. Now, Kazakhstani doctors are successfully conducting them independently. Over a year, the "Fetal Surgery" project has enabled 35 procedures, saving the lives of 32 newborns. Soon, this number is expected to increase to 150 surgeries annually.
However, timely detection of fetal pathologies requires surgical intervention and improvements in diagnostics. The AYALA Foundation, with support from Chevron, is helping to enhance the skills of ultrasound specialists and obstetrician-gynecologists.
In February 2025, the "Mother and Child Center" at UMC Clinic in Astana hosted 45 ultrasound specialists and obstetrician-gynecologists from Almaty, Shymkent, Astana, and all regional centers. They attended a lecture course by Kirill Kostyukov, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Head of the Ultrasound and Functional Diagnostics Department at the National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov. The training, organized within the AYALA Academy project to enhance medical qualifications, was supported by Chevron.
“Early diagnosis of fetal pathologies is the key factor in successful treatment by fetal surgeons. The sooner a problem is identified, the greater the chances of saving the child’s life through the necessary in-utero correction. We are pleased to contribute to this effort by supporting AYALA Foundation’s educational initiatives for Kazakhstani medical professionals,” said Zhanar Koshpanova, Social Investment Coordinator at Chevron.
Making Healthcare Accessible to Every Woman
Modern technologies for the early diagnosis of fetal abnormalities are becoming more precise and increasingly accessible in Kazakhstan. The "One-Day Clinic" project, implemented by the Ministry of Healthcare in 15 regions with high birth rates, helps detect early-stage genetic disorders.
In Almaty, thanks to the support of the AYALA Foundation and Chevron, this clinic has already provided care to 3,200 women, identifying 151 pregnancies with a high risk of congenital abnormalities. Nationwide, 30,000 expectant mothers have undergone advanced genetic screening covered by the Mandatory Social Health Insurance (MSHI) system.
In Astana, the "Mother and Child Center" at UMC Clinic has all the necessary conditions for performing complex in-utero surgeries—specialists have been trained, and the fetal medicine department is fully equipped. With Chevron’s support, a national medical training program has been launched, allowing doctors from across Kazakhstan to gain more profound expertise in fetal surgery and promptly refer patients for procedures.
All these initiatives work toward one key goal: ensuring that every family in Kazakhstan has the opportunity to welcome a healthy child. Fetal surgery and cutting-edge diagnostics are saving lives where medicine was once powerless. This is a true breakthrough, giving thousands of women hope that they will be able to hold a healthy newborn in their arms.