Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova presented Kazakhstan's potential in medicine and emergency response during earthquakes at a World Health Organization (WHO) conference in Istanbul. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
On the sidelines of the forum, the Kazakh delegation agreed with the Turkish Ministry of Health and the WHO European Bureau on technology exchange and joint training of medics for work in destructive emergencies.
The minister emphasized that Kazakhstan is among countries with high seismic risk, as about 40% of the country's territory is in a seismically hazardous zone. Therefore, the republic is strengthening its medical emergency response system.
According to her, the key element of medical emergency response is the National Coordination Center for Emergency Medicine. Today, it unites a multidisciplinary hospital, an air ambulance service, and coordinates the work of 20 regional ambulance stations. The republic also operates 41 roadside medical rescue points located on the most accident-prone sections of highways.
In addition, she spoke about the Disaster Medicine Center, which has special units in Almaty and Ust-Kamenogorsk, as well as strengthening sanitary and epidemiological safety in the country.
"We are convinced that no country alone can effectively counter the threats posed by major earthquakes and other emergencies. Only by combining experience, technology and professional competencies can we ensure the protection of people's life and health," Alnazarova said.
She stressed that Kazakhstan is ready for the most active international cooperation and exchange of practices.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Kazakh delegation held a number of bilateral meetings with the leadership of the WHO European Regional Bureau and the Turkish Ministry of Health. As a result, the parties agreed to expand cooperation in training emergency medicine specialists, developing disaster medicine services, and exchanging modern technologies.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that an earthquake was recorded in Kazakhstan on July 4. The epicenter was located 413 km west of Almaty. Residents of Taraz felt the tremors.