The President congratulated the participants of the event on Medical Worker's Day and noted the special significance of the meeting, which is being held for the first time in Akorda on the occasion of this holiday.
– Popular wisdom says: “Health is the first wealth.” Indeed, the health of the nation is a priority value for our country. Al-Farabi, known to the world as the “Second Teacher,” considered medicine an art. The profession of a doctor is chosen at the behest of the heart. This work, associated with a colossal load, is not for everyone. Medical workers are the guardians of the health of the nation, representatives of the most respected and noble profession. During the global COVID-19 pandemic, we all witnessed the selfless work of doctors. In the most difficult period, they saved the lives of thousands of people. We deeply appreciate your hard work and are proud of your resilience. “Saving the life of one person is equal to saving all of humanity.” Doctors perform real feats every day – during operations, in hospital wards. There are often cases when the fight for the lives of patients is carried out right in the ambulance. You rightfully deserve the title of heroes of peacetime. I express my deep gratitude to all medical workers, ”the Head of State said.
According to Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, Kazakh doctors have always put the interests of the country above all else. He cited as an example outstanding national figures, famous doctors Khalel Dosmukhamedov and Sanzhar Asfendiyarov, who dedicated their lives to the struggle for both the independence of the country and the well-being of our people.
– Today, about 380 thousand people work in the domestic healthcare sector. The work of each specialist cannot be overestimated. Entire dynasties of doctors have formed in the country, devoting their lives to improving people's health. Thus, the Dzhuvashev family from Almaty has 13 doctors with a total experience of 375 years. And in the Atyrau region, the Shanaev family has 16 doctors. This is a worthy example of continuity and loyalty to the calling. Today, the national healthcare system is confidently moving forward. We have many achievements. The average life expectancy in the country has reached 75.4 years. Maternal and child mortality has decreased by about 12%. About 800 clinics and hospitals have been built in five years. Work in this direction will continue. The state will continue to develop the infrastructure. Caring for the health of the nation begins with the provision of primary health care. The country is implementing a national project to modernize rural healthcare. To date, 469 facilities have already been built, and another 186 will be put into operation by the end of this year. District hospitals are being equipped with modern medical equipment, the President said.
The speech also noted the dynamic development of medical tourism. Every year, more than 10 thousand people from 45 countries of the world come to Kazakhstan specifically for treatment. According to the Head of State, this testifies to the high quality of the domestic healthcare system.
– Today, a number of our hospitals have international accreditation. National centers for neurosurgery and cardiac surgery provide high-tech medical care at the level of world clinics. Every year, Kazakhstani doctors perform thousands of open-heart surgeries, even on newborns. Organ transplantation is systematically developing in the country. The hundredth heart transplant operation was recently successfully performed. This year, a triple cross-kidney transplant was performed for the first time: three patients exchanged donors to receive a suitable organ. Such simultaneous operations are performed only in six countries in the world. Advanced radiation therapy methods are used to treat oncological diseases. Since last year, a completely new direction has been developing in Kazakhstan – fetal medicine. This refers to operations on the fetus while it is still in the womb. Such unique medical intervention opens up a chance for a healthy life for many children. Special attention is paid to the treatment and improvement of the lives of people with rare diseases. The state faces a difficult task – to provide such patients with expensive imported medicines, and here the Kazakhstan Halkyna Foundation, created at my suggestion, provides significant assistance,” said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
He then focused on the development of the domestic pharmaceutical industry.
- It is important to continue efforts in this area, which has essentially acquired a strategic nature, by attracting large international investors. We need to fully unlock the potential of medical science. A solid foundation has already been created. Our scientists have achieved significant results in oncology, transplantology, neonatology, genetics, and biomedicine. Domestically developed drugs are being introduced to treat blood diseases. Artificial intelligence is opening up new horizons in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. We need to make a rapid breakthrough in this promising area. We must fully utilize the capabilities of nuclear medicine. In general, the development of the healthcare system is aimed primarily at improving the well-being of our citizens. After all, the availability and level of medicine is a clear indicator of the quality of life in the country, - the President added.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that social support for medical workers and raising their status is one of the key tasks of the state.
– Since last year, on my initiative, the honorary title “Kazakhstan’s Greatest Respector” has been awarded, which is a sign of special respect for medical workers. Over the past five years, salaries in the healthcare sector have almost doubled. Scholarships at specialized universities and colleges have increased. All necessary conditions are also being created for organizing mentoring with qualified doctors and further adaptation of young specialists. In general, there is an annual increase in the amount of funds allocated to the healthcare sector. This year, this figure was 2.6 trillion tenge. The state will continue to support medical workers. Doctors are called the guardians of the people's health. Every person should be well aware of this truth and respect their work. However, unfortunately, in our society there are still people who hinder the work of medical workers, and sometimes even threaten their safety. Such illegal actions are absolutely unacceptable. Persons who violate public order will definitely be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The principle of "Law and Order" must be strictly observed everywhere. This is the only way we can build a Fair and Safe Kazakhstan. In this context, the medical worker has an exceptional role, - Kassym-Jomart Tokayev summed up his speech.
The President believes that the work of doctors deserves the highest praise. He announced that he signed a decree on awarding medical workers with state awards.
During the event, the head of the department of the Kazakh National Medical University named after S. Asfendiyarov Kuralbay Kurakbayev, veteran of labor Zhekshembay Nsanov, and head of the laboratory of the branch of the National Center for Biotechnology LLC Ekaterina Ostapchuk spoke.
By the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda
