About Us

The History of the “Okzhetpes” Sanatorium and Its Development

On December 26, 1960, by a Resolution of the Central Committee of the CPSU, the Tselinny Krai was established within the Kazakh SSR, occupying 21% of the republic’s total territory. It consisted of five regions and was created as part of a large-scale state project to develop virgin and fallow lands. The Tselinny Krai existed for five years and was abolished by a Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR on October 19, 1965.

In 1964, for employees of the Tselinny Regional Executive Committee, the design and construction of a holiday home (boarding house) began on the территории of the Borovoe forestry, on the shore of Lake Borovoe, in one of the most picturesque locations of the resort area. This facility later became the foundation upon which, in 1966, the климатический санаторий “Yasnaya Polyana” was established (the name itself did not yet exist at that time).

In May 1965, by decision of the Shchuchinsk District Party Committee and the Tselinny Regional Executive Committee, Stepan Stepanovich Usatov was appointed director of the sanatorium. The building was non-standard and at that time represented a three-story structure made of large-panel constructions. All medical rooms, the hydrotherapy department, and the dining hall were located on the first floor. The building was a gift from Moscow to the Tselinny Krai.

Representatives from Moscow, regional leaders, party officials, and members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan attended the opening. During an informal dinner that same day, the name of the holiday home was discussed. Suggested names included “Botagoz,” “Sphinx,” and “Ok-Okzhetpes,” but the final decision was left to the appointed director. Stepan Stepanovich chose the name “Yasnaya Polyana,” as the building stood in a small but well-lit clearing, and the place had been known by that name since the 19th century.

A few days later, during a visit by Dinmukhamed Kunaev, the name was officially approved.

Within a month, a staff of 47 people was formed, including three doctors and seven nurses. Later, the sanatorium was equipped with medical equipment, furniture, paintings, kitchenware, and seven new vehicles. The building was designed for 100 beds, but some rooms were allocated for administrative staff and medical facilities. There were eight luxury rooms, while the rest were double rooms without amenities, accommodating up to 80 guests.

The catering services were of the highest standard, with a highly qualified chef invited from Almaty. In 1966, a four-apartment wooden house was built on the территории for staff.

Later, in 1974, due to the санаторий’s remote location, a 32-apartment residential building for staff was commissioned on its территории. In 1975, the first residential building for employees with 60 apartments was constructed in the village of Borovoe. Vouchers and referrals were issued by the regional executive committee, as the санаторий was under its jurisdiction. Most visitors were employees of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, the Council of Ministers, first secretaries of regional committees, and chairmen of regional executive committees.

In 1967, Roza Ivanovna Ivashchenko, Candidate of Medical Sciences, was appointed director and worked at the санаторий until 1977. During her tenure, significant developments were made: in 1968, a club-dining facility with 140 seats was built, followed by a garage and a boiler house in subsequent years. In 1972, a separate medical building was commissioned, housing all service and diagnostic rooms. The санаторий was reprofiled into a климатобальнеологический resort and could accommodate up to 120 guests year-round.

For лечебные purposes, natural factors were used, including mineral water from Lake May-Balyk and лечебные mud from Lake Balpash-Sor. The healing properties of the Borovoe lakes had been known long before laboratory studies.

Historical sources indicate that Kazakh elders had traveled here since ancient times to treat rheumatism and skin diseases. In 1894, Dr. Nikolai Sobolev conducted the first laboratory analysis of water and mud from Lake Zhanibek-Sor at the Omsk Medical Society laboratory. In 1895, he presented a report on their chemical composition.

In more recent times, a research team from the North Kazakhstan Geological and Geophysical Laboratory carried out a detailed analysis of the physicochemical properties of the mineral water of Lake May-Balyk and the лечебные mud of Lake Balpash-Sor. Doctors of the санаторий (R.I. Ivashchenko, V.M. Chernova, O.P. Tolstikova) were the first to develop indications and contraindications for mineral baths and mud therapy, as well as the duration of procedures.

In the early 1980s, construction began on a new seven-story residential building with improved amenities. In 1982, after its completion, the санаторий was given a new name — “Okzhetpes.”

The Medical and Wellness Complex “Okzhetpes” is a year-round climatobalneological resort. Its unique natural лечебные factors include the экологически чистый air of pine forests, лечебные mud from Lake Balpash-Sor, and mineral water “May Balyk,” along with pantotherapy, radon therapy, koumiss therapy, and mineral water “Okzhetpes.” Combined with a modern diagnostic and treatment base, these resources enable effective treatment and rehabilitation of a wide range of conditions, including diseases of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, circulatory system, endocrine and nervous systems, as well as urological and gynecological conditions.

The комплекс has successfully implemented a quality management system in accordance with international standard ISO 9001:2015, with certification carried out by the German company TÜV CERT.

In April 2017, the annual international practical forum “Shipazhai” was held at the premises of JSC “Medical and Wellness Complex ‘Okzhetpes’,” with participants from more than 10 CIS and European countries. A key событие of the forum was the opening of the complex’s own drinking radon water source.

On July 27, 2017, by Resolution No. 450 of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a reorganization took place involving JSC “Medical and Wellness Complex ‘Okzhetpes’” and JSC “Sanatorium Almaty.” The sanatorium “Almaty Resort” was transformed into a филиал of JSC “MWC ‘Okzhetpes’” (Almaty branch), while the sanatorium “Kazakhstan” in Yessentuki was incorporated as a subsidiary.

Today, JSC “Medical and Wellness Complex ‘Okzhetpes’” unites some of the best health resorts in the country under a single brand. The combined network offers 367 rooms of various categories. Its medical facilities stand out for their highly qualified personnel and state-of-the-art medical equipment.

We look forward to welcoming you to the Medical and Wellness Complex “Okzhetpes”!