Stricter penalties imposed for assaulting medical professionals by the President
In response to a rising number of violent incidents against medical professionals, Kazakhstan is taking significant steps to protect healthcare personnel. The government is proposing tougher penalties for physical assaults and displays of cruelty against medical workers, with the support of the President and various groups, including Parliament deputies, the medical community, and active citizens.
The proposed amendments, which are set to be enacted as changes to national legislation, aim to address attacks involving physical force and displays of cruelty against medical workers. These amendments are part of the President's instruction to the Government, which follows the head of state's commitment to toughen penalties for such attacks.
Under the new draft legislation, separate articles in the Criminal Code will specifically target assaults on health workers. The details include up to 2 years in jail for threats of violence against on-duty health workers, with assault against one health worker resulting in 2 to 7 years imprisonment. Assault occurring during an emergency situation could lead to imprisonment for up to 10 years, while assault on a group of health workers could result in imprisonment for up to 15 years.
These tougher penalties are being proposed in response to recent violent incidents, such as a serious attack on a surgeon in Kostanay city. The legislative amendments aim to treat assaults on healthcare workers not just as ordinary crimes, but as grave offenses threatening public safety.
In addition to legal reforms, the government is also enhancing security at medical facilities. This includes increasing round-the-clock security presence, installing surveillance cameras, and providing panic buttons in emergency rooms, maternity wards, and children’s hospitals to prevent such violence.
Ruslan Zheldibay, advisor and press secretary to the President of Kazakhstan, confirmed the President's instruction to the Government regarding attacks against medical workers. The President's support for the proposed amendments underscores the head of state's stance on addressing such incidents in Kazakhstan, in line with the principle of "Law and Order."
The discussion on these proposed amendments will involve civil society representatives, reflecting the government's commitment to inclusive decision-making. The drafted amendments will be submitted to Parliament for discussion, marking a significant step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of Kazakhstan's medical professionals.
The proposed amendments to Kazakhstan's national legislation, aimed at enhancing the protection of healthcare personnel, focus on addressing attacks involving physical force and displays of cruelty against medical workers. These amendments, in response to recent violent incidents, seek to treat such assaults as grave offenses threatening public safety by targeting separate articles in the Criminal Code. The President's support for these amendments aligns with his commitment to toughen penalties for such attacks and uphold the principle of "Law and Order." Additionally, the government is implementing additional measures for the safety of medical facilities, including increased security presence, surveillance cameras, and emergency response mechanisms. These wide-ranging efforts to protect medical professionals are not limited to policy-and-legislation and politics but also extend to health-and-wellness, medical-conditions, general-news, and the broader societal discourse on the importance of promoting health, well-being, and respect for medical professionals in Kazakhstan.
