President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has called on the government, together with the Kurultai and the public, to ensure the targeted provision of social assistance. Speaking to participants of the "Taza Qazaqstan" campaign, he spoke about abuses in granting benefits and registering disability, the Akorda reported. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Benefits and disability
Tokayev drew attention to the fact that, according to him, benefits continue to be used by so-called veterans of catastrophes, wars and conflicts of the past century, who "strangely grow younger." The president also recalled that at a certain period the number of people with disabilities in Kazakhstan exceeded 800,000 with a population of 20 million. He called this a sign of abuses in the social sphere, especially in establishing disability.
"The state must, is obliged to provide assistance to citizens who truly need it. This will be extremely fair," Tokayev said.
Social obligations remain
At the same time, the president stressed that the state will not abandon its social obligations. He recalled the guaranteed volume of free medical care provided for by the Constitution. According to Tokayev, citizens of Kazakhstan, qandas who have arrived in the country, and certain categories of foreigners permanently residing in the republic have access to such assistance.
Among the services, he named appointments with district doctors, basic examinations, diagnostics, emergency and ambulance care, treatment of socially significant diseases, including diabetes, cancer and tuberculosis, as well as the provision of medicines to patients. The president also mentioned air ambulance services, citing the recent transportation of a seriously ill scientist from Italy.
"Qazaqstan Khalqyna" fund
Tokayev also spoke about the work of the "Qazaqstan Khalqyna" fund, created on his initiative, which, according to him, provides assistance including to sick children.
Support for families
Speaking about support for families, the president recalled the right to parental leave for up to three years with job retention. He also noted free hot meals for all students in grades 1-4, regardless of family income. According to him, the school menu was revised: sausages, fast food and carbonated drinks were excluded, and the content of sugar and salt was reduced. Tokayev said that meals should provide 40% of a child's daily calorie requirement.
Hearing aids
Separately, the president reported on an adopted amendment providing for free hearing aids for children with hearing impairment. Since these devices are currently produced abroad, the government, according to him, needs to urgently organize their production in Kazakhstan.
Earlier, "Kursiv" wrote that at the same meeting Tokayev promised to take construction quality under personal control. According to him, schools, hospitals, cultural and sports facilities continue to be built in the regions.