Pavlodar Region Sees Record Frostbite Cases in Brutal Winter

Pavlodar Region recorded 53 cases of frostbite to extremities over the winter, with the majority occurring after New Year's—38 people sought medical help between January and March, while another 15 were treated before the holidays, reports Liter.kz, citing irbistv.kz.

The situation proved so severe that 32 patients required surgery. Doctors most commonly performed finger amputations, though some cases were far more extreme. In one instance, a patient had both legs amputated below the knee; another lost both hands.

"This winter of 2025–2026 has seen the highest number of frostbite cases because the cold snap began earlier than usual," said Ashat Mursalimov, head of the burn unit at Pavlodar's First City Hospital. "In previous years, we typically treated just over 30 patients during this period—and that's not even counting thermal burns. It's a record for the past decade."

Medical professionals note that some victims were under the influence of alcohol, which worsened their injuries. They also stress the critical importance of seeking prompt medical attention.