Speech of President

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev adressed the Preparatory Meeting for the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Head of state noted the deterioration of epidemiological situation in neighboring countries, and in this regard requested to strengthen control at checkpoints on the state border:

"As of October 5, 2020, 12 608 new cases of coronavirus were detected in Russia, an increase of approximately 1%; in Uzbekistan – 374 cases, with an increase of 0.5%; in Kyrgyzstan – 244 cases, with an increase of 0.5% as well. It is necessary to return a strict regime of epidemic control at airports and railway stations, to establish rapid testing of people from the "red zones". The government should carefully study options for optimizing road communication with foreign countries, especially with those that are in an unfavorable situation".

Reduction of testing cost is among the current issues of the pandemic. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev paid special attention to the problem of financial availability of medical means for detecting coronavirus.

"All over the world, our prices still remain high – from KZT 10 000 to 18 000. I believe that this is an unacceptable amount for a significant part of the population. The government and akims are required to resolve the issue of financial accessibility of testing. It is also important to ensure a significant reduction in prices for protective masks, the prices which are still quite high compared to other countries, in particular Russia. Government plans to approve the maximum retail price for masks within KZT 60. In Russia, as I was informed, the cost varies from KZT 20 to 30, that is more acceptable guide for citizens. I entrust the Agency of Protection and Development of Competition to analyze the adequacy of such prices and monitor pricing policy in terms of laboratory services and personal protective equipment" - the President said.

Tokayev said that currently the country does not have a complete digital picture of the epidemic: "Due to criminal investigations of SK-Pharmacy and Medical Insurance Fund, processes of digitalization of healthcare are actually "frozen". Currently, as part of the criminal investigation and pre-trial proceedings, Committee for Financial Monitoring of the Ministry of Finance has suspended all actions aimed at making any changes to the health integration platform. At the same time, technical capabilities allow to conduct criminal investigations without removing integration platform and stopping integration processes by fixing the data of integration platform on the current situation – creating a so-called "mold" of the platform containing all information necessary for the investigation. This indicates inconsistency in the actions of state agencies, each of which has a focus on particular departmental interests. This is an absolutely unacceptable situation, especially right now. Data is collected manually, and there is no exchange of information between medica.organizations. The government and the Presidential Administration should solve this problem as soon as possible".

At the end of his speech, the President mentioned the importance of uninterrupted functioning of life support services, readiness of strategic facilities - thermal power plants, water utilities, large enterprises, taking into account the possible deterioration of epidemiological situation.

On behalf of the Head of state, comprehensive response plan has been prepared in the event of a deterioration of socio-economic situation and new wave of coronavirus infection. The government along with the National Bank will update the plan and submit it to the Administration for approval by the end of October.