Address of the Head of state Kassym-Jomart Tokayev

Dear Kazakhstanis!

The situation with coronavirus remains serious. But compared to other States in proportion, it is not better, if not worse.

However, we are certainly not going to be satisfied with this fact.there is a lot of work ahead that we must do together, as a whole.

The threat of coronavirus cannot be underestimated. To continue to think that this is a common flu is a mistake. This is a much more insidious and dangerous disease. The number of cases in the world has reached almost 12 million people, and the number of victims is growing.

That is why, from the very beginning of the pandemic, we immediately took decisive and strict measures to limit its spread in our country.

This allowed us to save many lives. But, unfortunately, due to mass non-compliance with quarantine measures, systemic errors of the former leadership of the Ministry of health, and the slowness of the governors, we are actually dealing with a second wave of coronavirus, coupled with a sharp increase in the disease of pneumonia.

The state Commission decided to introduce a two-week quarantine throughout the country.

This is the right decision. At the moment, there are the first signs of stabilization of the situation.

But of course, it's too early to relax. The coming weeks will be crucial in our fight against the pandemic.

The state is taking all measures to stabilize the situation. Primary health care is being strengthened.

400 universal mobile teams have already been formed to provide a complex of medical services to the population at home. By the end of July, their number will be increased to 3,500.

Work has begun to increase hospital beds. Since my order, the number of beds for patients with coronavirus has been increased by 70% and brought to 43 thousand.

Military medics are also actively involved in this work. Thanks to the resources of the armed forces, more than 500 beds have been deployed.

Field hospitals are being relocated to special outbreak sites. There is an intensive recruitment and retraining of doctors in the reserve.

To increase access to testing, existing laboratories are being retrofitted – 20 additional PCR analyzers are being purchased. 8 mobile centers are being created for PCR testing, including the rural population.

All this will increase the number of tests to 40 thousand per day.

I would like to focus on improving the provision of medicines.

For this purpose, the terms and procedures for certification of medicines have been shortened and simplified.

The special procedure for public procurement from a single source for anti-epidemic needs has been extended.

The procedure for one-time import of antiviral medicines that are not registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan has been simplified. Such requests are considered within 24 hours.

The procedure for registering new drugs of domestic producers for the treatment of CVI has been accelerated.

All these measures make it possible to deliver the necessary drugs to hospitals and pharmacy chains faster and more effectively.

The government and akims are urgently working to provide the population with all necessary medicines. Medicines for the treatment of about 30 thousand hospitalized patients have already been purchased for hospitals. This is 70% higher than the current need (with about 18 thousand hospitalized). The work continues.

To retailers do the necessary medicines: delivered 800 thousand packings of acetaminophen, the rest of the week is expected to supply 900 thousand packages, 150 thousand packs of antibiotics have already been shipped to pharmacies.

In the coming days, the problem with the drug supply will be resolved.

Once again, I ask citizens not to panic, not to buy medicines for the future, creating a hype demand for them.

In General, at least 150 billion tenge is allocated for the purchase of medicines, ventilators, incentives for medical workers and other urgent measures. Spending of funds will be under special control.

Now it is extremely important not to allow panic in society.

Some unscrupulous businessmen try to take advantage of a difficult situation and make money on it. They create an artificial hype and deliberately inflate the price of much-needed medicines.

On my instructions, the law enforcement agencies have begun to bring to justice persons engaged in drug speculation.

The public administrations should conduct raids and identify such facts.

Some people arrange political games, spread rumors, inflame the situation with various assumptions and appeals, and try to incite discord in society.

This kind of manipulation is extremely dangerous, so they will be given a legal assessment in accordance with the law.

Unfortunately, the disease continues to claim the lives of Kazakhstanis.

Behind the official reports are the tragedies of hundreds of families. Someone has lost a father, mother, brother, sister, son and daughter.

I Express my condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. This is a common tragedy for all of us.

Therefore, I have decided to declare July 13 a Day of national mourning for the people of Kazakhstan who were victims of the pandemic.

I am sure that every one of us, wherever we are on this day, will honor the memory of the departed.

I would like to call on all our compatriots to show firmness, calmness, and responsibility before the trials that have befallen our people.

We continue our fight against the coronavirus. There is no doubt that victory will be on our side.

We should not give up, give in to depression, apathy. Today, more than ever, we need to show our unity.

We will not leave anyone in trouble and will fight for the life and health of every citizen of Kazakhstan.