Geospatial and Temporal Analysis of Emergency Medical Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Astana, Kazakhstan
Mussina A. Chayakova A. Myrzakhanova M. Kydyrmoldina A. Tuleshova G. Utegenova A. Hamidullina Z. Volchkova I. Moldabayeva A.
2026S. Karger AG
Portuguese Journal of Public Health
20261 - 15 pp.
Abstract – Introduction: Few local-level studies have examined population needs for emergency medical service (EMS) within specific districts during pandemics. This study used geographic information systems (GISs) to analyze 312, 707 EMS calls in Astana, Kazakhstan, examining changes before, during, and at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated EMS data in Astana, Kazakhstan, to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were extracted from two automated systems used by the Astana ambulance station: “Komek 103” (introduced in late 2019) and the ADIS information system. These systems collect comprehensive call data, including caller demographics, address, time, seasonality, and emergency outcome. Moreover, we detected the geographical distribution of EMS calls during COVID-19. Results: The results show a substantial increase in EMS calls during the COVID-19 pandemic in Astana, Kazakhstan. Before the pandemic (Jan 1–Mar 13, 2020), there were 50, 488 calls, compared to 126, 308 calls at the onset and 135, 911 calls at the peak. The peak period saw the highest call volume on Mondays (21, 329 calls), a 35.7% increase in calls from individuals aged 65+, and a significant rise (51%) in complaints of fever. Within the 65+ age-group, men accounted for a 26.6% larger proportion of EMS users compared to women. Moreover, the number of requests for emergency medical care varied by district in Astana. Conclusion: The main trends in EMS calls showed that during the peak of the pandemic, the number of calls significantly increased. GIS technologies made it possible to determine the main flow and needs of EMS calls.
Chamadas médicas de emergência , COVID-19 , Emergency medical calls , Emergency medical services , GIS technologies , Pandemia , Pandemic , Serviços médicos de emergência , Tecnologias GIS
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, NpJSC Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Medicine, Shokan Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University, Kokshetau, Kazakhstan
Department of Biology, Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Semey, Semey, Kazakhstan
Scientific and Practical Center for Forensic Examinations of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan
Postdoctoral researcher, NpJSC Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Obstetrics No. 1, NpJSC Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Surgical Diseases, Bariatric Surgery and Neurosurgery, NpJSC Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Laboratory Medicine, NpJSC Astana Medical University, Astana, Kazakhstan
Department of Public Health and Epidemiology
Department of Medicine
Department of Biology
Scientific and Practical Center for Forensic Examinations of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Postdoctoral researcher
Department of Obstetrics No. 1
Department of Surgical Diseases
Department of Laboratory Medicine
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026