ADDRESS TO THE KAZAKHSTANI NATION BY H.E. MR. KASSYM-JOMART TOKAYEV, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN NUR-SULTAN
Dear compatriots,
As you know, the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic in the world is getting worse.
The spread of the coronavirus has not slowed down.
In some countries, the epidemic is again on the rise.
The number of those infected with this virus worldwide has reached about 12 million people, resulting in more than 500,000 deaths.
Therefore, in some countries the quarantine regime has been strengthened, while air and ground transport services have been restricted again.
Unfortunately, the situation in our country is not easy as well.
By the decision of the State Commission, quarantine measures were introduced in our country for two weeks, started from July 5.
It was a much-needed decision.
Undoubtedly, the situation will stabilize. There are also the first signs of that stabilization. It is therefore that the next two weeks will be a crucial period for our future steps.
I once again call on all citizens to strictly follow the rules of quarantine. The effectiveness of the fight against the epidemic depends, first of all, on the conscious action and responsibility of all.
It is a very dangerous and contagious disease.
The spread of the coronavirus is putting a strain on our health care system.
Frankly speaking, our health care system was not ready to fight this epidemic. We are investigating this issue. We will use a lesson and draw a moral from this situation. We will properly assess the mistakes made by Akims (local governors).
However, the state is taking all necessary measures.
Thanks to the measures taken by the Government and the courage of the medical staff (medical officers and healthcare workers), the number of people receiving treatment has increased significantly.
The situation in many countries is even more difficult than ours.
However, as the saying goes, "Every Kazakh is my only one". Hence, the death of each of our citizens is deeply ingrained in my heart. This terrible plague is taking away many of our valuable citizens.
I express my condolences to the people who are in crape today.
That is why I declare July 13 the National Day of Mourning.
But our struggle, our fight will continue.
On the other hand, humanity will not be able to overcome this epidemic any time soon.
However, we should not be overwhelmed by anxieties and sorrows, we should not believing rumors and giving up.
Let's be solid and calm, patient and tolerant!
Our work is crystal clear and transparent. We do not hide anything from the public, we speak openly. It will remain the same in the future.
We must do all we can to fight the epidemic.
In such a difficult situation, there are many false rumors inside the country. There are some people who are spreading negative information.
Unfortunately, some citizens have come to believe in false information.
There is also another important issue. Our doctors must provide accurate and consistent information to citizens through the media. They should not confusing people and endanger human health by recommending complex variety of controversial methods to treat the disease.
Such actions should be prevented.
According to Article 174 of the Criminal Code, a person who spreads false information, will be prosecuted.
Law enforcement agencies will take strict measures against such misconduct in the country.
Similarly, in accordance with my instruction, law enforcement agencies began to prosecute speculators, who wanted to increase the price of medications for several times, and utilize the situation for their own purposes and benefit.
Currently, government agencies are fully maintaining our population with the necessary medicines. In this regard, an appropriate fund has been established. Сritical care beds and other hospital beds, along with other types of medical care, will be provided in full as well.
Dear fellow Kazakhstanis,
The situation with coronavirus in our country remains serious. But against the background of other states in proportion, it is, if not better, then not worser.
Nevertheless, we, of course, are not going to be content with this fact. There is a lot of work ahead that we must carry out together, as a whole society.
The threat of coronavirus cannot be underestimated. Continuing 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.
It is therefore that from the very beginning of the pandemic, we immediately took decisive and tough measures to limit its spread in our country.
This has allowed us to save many lives. But, unfortunately, due to the mass non-compliance with quarantine measures, systemic errors of the former leadership of the Ministry of Health, the Akims’ (local governors’) sluggishness, we are actually dealing with the second wave of coronavirus, coupled with a sharp increase in pneumonia.
That is why the State Commission decided to introduce a two-week quarantine throughout the country.
This measure is the right decision. At the moment, the first signs of stabilization of the situation have appeared.
But it is too early to relax. The coming weeks will be decisive 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 range of medical services to the population at home. Until the end of July, their number will be brought up to 3.5 thousand.
Work has begun to increase hospital beds. Since I instructed the Ministry of Health, the number of beds for patients with coronavirus has been increased by 70% and brought up to 43 thousand.
Military doctors are also actively involved in this work. Thanks to the resources of our Armed Forces, more than 500 beds have been deployed additionally.
Field hospitals are being relocated to places of special outbreaks (hotspots). There is an attraction and intensive retraining of doctors in stock as well.
To increase access to testing, existing laboratories are retrofitted - 20 Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyzers are additionally purchased. 8 mobile centres are being created for PCR testing, including of the rural population.
All this will increase the number of tests to 40 thousand per day.
I would also like to dwell on the improvement of drug provision.
To this end, the terms have been shortened for the certification of medicines, while relevant certification procedures have been eased and simplified.
The special public procurement procedure (buying from the single source different things needed for anti-epidemiological purposes) has been extended.
The procedure for the one-time importation of antiviral drugs that are not registered in the Republic of Kazakhstan is simplified as well. Such applications are considered by the relevant public authorities within one day.
The procedure for registering new drugs for the treatment of CVI by domestic producers has been accelerated.
All these measures allow to bring the necessary drugs to hospitals and pharmacy chains quickly and efficiently.
The Government and Akims (local governors) work urgently to provide the population with all the necessary drugs. Medicines for our hospitals have already been purchased for the treatment of about 30 thousand hospitalized. This is 70% higher than the current need (for about 18 thousand hospitalized). Our work in this direction will be continued.
The necessary medicines are already being delivered to the retail network, inter alia, 800 thousand packs of paracetamol. Another 900 thousand packs are expected to be delivered by the end of this week. 150 thousand packs of antibiotics have already been shipped to the pharmacy network.
In the coming days, the problem with drug provision will be resolved.
I again appeal to our citizens not to panic, not to buy medicines for the future, creating a rush of demand for them.
In general, at least KZT 150 billion is allocated for the purchase of medicines, mechanical ventilation devices, stimulation of health workers and other urgent measures. Spending of these financial means will be under special control.
Now it is imperative to prevent panic in society.
Some unscrupulous traders are trying to take advantage of this difficult situation and capitalize on it. They create artificial excitement and deliberately inflate prices for much-needed medicines.
On my instructions, law enforcement agencies began to hold accountable individuals involved in drug speculation.
Akimats (local governments) should conduct public raids and identify such facts.
Some people arrange political games, spread rumors, heat up the situation with various assumptions and appeals, and try to incite hatred in society.
Such manipulations are extremely dangerous. Therefore they will be given a legal assessment in accordance with the law.
Unfortunately, the disease continues to take 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 families and friends of the deceased. This is a common tragedy for all of us.
Therefore, I decided to declare July 13 as the Day of National Mourning for Kazakhstanis who became victims of this pandemic.
I am sure that each of us, wherever he/she is on this day, will honour the memory of the departed.
I want to urge all my compatriots to show steadfastness, calmness, responsibility before the trials that have befallen our people.
We continue our fight against coronavirus. There is no doubt that victory will be on our side. We shall overcome.
We must not give up. We must not succumb to depression and apathy. Today, more than ever, we need to show our unity.
No one will be left behind. We will not leave anyone in trouble and will fight for the life and health of every Kazakhstani citizen.
Dear compatriots,
We are the nation that has gone through many trials and tribulations. And we have not succumbed to many storms in our history.
I hope that today's generation, which has followed in the footsteps of our heroic ancestors, will withstand today’s difficulties.
Perhaps this is a test of our unity.
If we manage to go forward hand-in-hand as united nation, we will pass this test.
Let us appreciate and follow the wise words of our people: "Health is a great wealth".
Let us fight for the well-being of every citizen!
I wish you all good health, unshakable unity, and prosperity!
08.07.2020