Tokayev instructs cabinet to combat assaults on health professionals

Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has endorsed tougher punishment for assault and acts of cruelty against health professionals, according to Ruslan Zheldibay, the president’s advisor and press secretary.

«Incidents of this sort, damaging the health and welfare of our medical professionals, must be determinedly suppressed through legal measures in line with the Law and Order principle,» the official emphasized.

Tokayev instructed the cabinet to develop legislative amendments that will be brought before parliament for discussion, with the participation of representatives from civil society.

Recently, several cases of violence against health professionals were reported in Kazakhstan. Akmaral Alnazarova, the country’s minister of health, made an emotional appeal on social media, urging citizens to stop the cruelty against medical workers.

On July 17, a surgeon working at a hospital in Kostanay was assaulted by a patient waiting in line. The doctor was punched and lost consciousness after descending to the admission ward following surgery to receive patients.

On June 12, a 38-year-old relative of a patient beat two doctors in Karaganda. The attacker was detained at the scene.