ASTANA – Taraz native Marat Sarshayev, 33, a neurosurgeon at the Central Clinical Hospital in Almaty of the Medical Centre of the President’s Affairs Administration of Kazakhstan, is one of the nation’s 100 New Faces.
Marat Sarshayev. Photo credit: 100esim.el.kz
Despite his young age, Sarshayev independently conducts brain vessel endoscopic, endovascular and micro-neurosurgical surgeries. He also operates to remove brain and spinal cord tumours and studies backbone pathology.
“When I enter the surgery room, I feel a great responsibility for human life, because every action is decisive. There, you cannot make a mistake. One small mistake can turn into big complications,” he said.
Neurosurgery requires constantly upgrading one’s skills and Sarshayev studies in countries throughout the world. He has completed internships and participated in various seminars and courses in France, South Korea, Russia and Turkey. After each trip, he has set the goal of introducing innovative technology in neurosurgical treatment in his homeland.
“When I was a student, I was fond of neurosurgery lessons and I liked this discipline very much. Then, I decided to become a neurosurgeon. This became my dream. When I was a fifth-year student at the university in Astana, I worked as a nurse in the neurosurgery unit in one of the hospitals. It was an excellent start to gain experience in practice. I met with the leading neurosurgeons of Kazakhstan and worked with them. After graduating from the university, I began to think about studies under the Bolashak Scholarship programme,” he said.
The majority of neurosurgical operations, especially micro-neurosurgeries, are extremely technically complicated, long and stressful and those who select the speciality must comply with the rigors of the very difficult and responsible job. Surgeons must be in good health and display endurance, patience and quick response to urgent situations, Sarshayev believes.
“My longest surgery so far lasted 12 hours. I sewed millimetre vessels,” he said.
Sarshayev’s patients say that despite his young age, he has golden hands and a bright head. He is not only a wonderful surgeon, but also an excellent psychologist, and knows how to inspire confidence in his patients.
“I cannot say that I have fulfilled my dream or I achieved what I wanted, because I’m still young – I’m a beginner neurosurgeon. I still have many goals ahead and I believe I will achieve them,” he said.
