The unique concept behind a health resort in Yessentuki
We interviewed Yeltay Askarov, director of the Kazakhstan Sanatorium in the resort town of Yessentuki, and asked him about how the Kazakh local charm made it a trademark of the Caucasus.
– Today you are the head of a health resort in Yessentuki, but a few years ago you lived and worked in Kazakhstan. Why did you decide to move to another country, and how many years have you been developing the Kazakhstan Sanatorium?
– My journey with Yessentuki and the Kazakhstan Sanatorium started back in 2016. Up until that point, I worked in the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which our Sanatorium is subordinate to. The health resort sphere has always appealed to me, so a year later I resigned as deputy director of the Sanatorium and became its director. Since then, together with an excellent team of specialists, we’ve been developing our health resort.
– How has the Kazakhstan Sanatorium changed over this time?
– A lot of work has been done. We’ve introduced innovative treatment methods, upgraded medical equipment, modernized infrastructure, and improved catering services.
For example, last year we developed treatments for osteoarthritis and diabetes and a rehabilitation strategy for patients with metabolic liver disease. To expand the range and quality of our medical services, we purchased an oxygen therapy device, a gastrovideoscope for endoscopic examinations, an Avantron physiotherapy device, and a Lasmik laser therapy device. Beyond that, our employees constantly improve their knowledge and skills and maintain a high level of service.
We also renovated the standard rooms, overhauled the speleological chamber (salt room) and the aerophytotherapy room. The children’s club and playground have been modernized and decorated in the national Kazakh style.
– Sanatorium with elements of Kazakh national style draws attention with its uniqueness. If you compare the traditions of Russia and Kazakhstan in health resort treatment, what do they have in common?
– We all went to Soviet schools and studied in the same universities. What we have in common is the high level of service and professional approach to restoring and promoting the health of our guests.
– How do guests from Kazakhstan and Russia feel about the national Kazakh elements in the Sanatorium?
– It’s not surprising that Kazakhstani love to see familiar ornaments in the interior and supplement their diet with Kazakh cuisine. At the same time, most of our guests are Russians, who also feel very comfortable and show interest in the cultural details of the neighboring country. So, the diversity of cultures and friendship of peoples is a competitive advantage and a great value for the Caucasus.
I often talk to our guests and learn about their vacation experiences firsthand. They note that the national features look seamless and subtle in the modern design of our Sanatorium. Everyone loves the unique pool design following the yurt shape. Every Friday we offer delicious national cuisine. By the way, nowhere else in the Caucasus Mineralnye Vody can you taste diet horsemeat and other traditional treats. Our guests say that the concept of our Sanatorium helps them change the environment, spend their time unconventionally. Children especially like it here due to the unique playgrounds and activities.
– Do you think the criteria by which people choose a resort for their vacation has changed in recent years? How many guests come back to your Sanatorium?
– First of all, they choose a place where they will get the best treatment. The confidence that with our medical technology and qualified staff they can improve their health, relax in comfort and pleasure, makes our guests come back to us. We treat our guests with great care and welcome them as family. Oriental hospitality and friendly staff are our top priorities. We get a lot of positive feedback about the attitude of our staff, much to the credit of our nurses, maids, waiters, administrators.
– What goals have you set for the development of the Sanatorium in 2023? What has already come to fruition?
– We never rest on our laurels! This year, in preparation for the Assisted Reproductive Technology program, we are introducing a new method of treatment. We also plan to purchase shockwave therapy equipment and a new expert class ultrasound machine with elastography.
– On a final note, what would you recommend to those who are planning their vacation and treatment in a health resort?
– First, choose a facility that specializes in treating the ailments you are concerned about. For example, the main treatment areas in Yessentuki are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and metabolic disorders.
Second, choose a place you will be comfortable to stay in. If you value personalized service and comfort, make your choice in favor of a health resort designed for 200 people rather than 2,000. That allows the staff to know every guest by sight, to surround them with care and attention.
