Kazakhstan’s government promised to increase doctors’ salaries by 2.5 percent in 2023 as it shores up the country’s healthcare system following the COVID pandemic, the Total news agency reported.

Healthcare spending will increase to 5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), Prime Minister Askar Mamin told a meeting of the ruling Nur Otan party on February 12. He also announced plans to build 20 medical centres by 2025, and promised an increase in the average life expectancy to 75 years from 73.2 years.

“The health of Kazakhstanis is the main priority,”  Mamin said. “Taking into account the new challenges, decisive measures will be taken to provide the national health care with qualified personnel, modern equipment, diagnostic and treatment methods.”

The increase will bring a doctor’s salary to 561,000 tenge ($1,337) in 2023, while a nurse’s  salary will increase to 210,000 tenge ($500), Mamin said.