97 thousand children from socially vulnerable families to be provided with free meals in kindergartens
Images | Акимат Алматы
Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov took part in an expanded meeting of the faction of the AMANAT party, during which he informed the deputies about the implementation of previous messages of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, primeminister.kz reports.
In his speech Prime Minister noted that these program documents are aimed at improving the welfare and quality of life of Kazakhstanis.
The implementation of instructions was conducted in difficult conditions and with constantly emerging external and internal challenges. Nevertheless, the set tasks were generally realized, and long-term and systematic instructions continue to be executed," he said.
Thus, the Government has taken systemic measures in the social sphere. The Social Code has been approved, which provides support for citizens from birth to old age. For social support of families with children, the period of care up to 1.5 years has been increased, benefits for mothers with many children have been raised. Today, more than 750 thousand mothers receive this assistance.
From September 1, free meals will be provided to children from 1st to 4th grades of general education schools. Also this year the issue of free meals in kindergartens for 97 thousand children from socially vulnerable families has been resolved. Thus, the state has assumed the costs of preschool education for this category of children," Alikhan Smailov noted.
On the instructions of the Head of State, social allowances were increased by 23% for people with disabilities and those who have lost their breadwinner. Differential increase of pensions of more than 2 million pensioners was made. In general, the state's expenditures on the pension program today amount to more than 3 trillion tenge.
In addition, on the instructions of the Head of State, the retirement age of women was fixed at 61 years until 2028. Related additional expenditures on pension provision will amount to more than 800 billion tenge.
Along with this, this year citizens have been given the right to manage their pension savings. Depositors can transfer to private management companies, chosen by them independently, 50% of the amount of their pension savings. In general, more than 1 million people have exercised their right to use their pension savings to improve their living conditions and medical treatment.
Since the beginning of this year, the Government has introduced the Digital Family Card. More than 500 thousand Kazakhstanis have received proactive social support.
A Comprehensive Employment Plan is being implemented jointly with the regions as part of the Program for Increasing the Income of the Population. Currently, more than 600,000 people have been employed in new, vacant and state-subsidized jobs, half of them young people.
The President's instruction on employment of young people and socially vulnerable population occupies a special place. The age of youth has been increased from 29 to 35, which opens access to state support measures for 5.7 million people. During this year about 9 thousand of them, including socially vulnerable, received soft loans at 2.5%, grants and were able to open their own businesses," Alikhan Smailov said.
As Prime Minister noted, the task has also been set to increase 2-fold the salaries of 1.2 million civil servants. In this regard, salaries of teachers are annually increased by 25%, doctors by 30%, nurses and other categories of workers by 20%.
At the same time, work has been carried out with about 2,000 enterprises, as a result of which employers have increased the salaries of more than 1 million employees by 10 to 50%.
Financing of secondary education has more than doubled over the past 5 years alone, from 2 to 4.5 trillion tenge.
The National Project "Comfortable School" has been launched, under which 369 schools will be built. In addition, an Education Infrastructure Support Fund has been created to accumulate funds returned to the state as part of anti-corruption measures. To date, the Fund has received 120 billion tenge, of which 97 billion tenge has been allocated for the construction of 62 schools.
The number of educational grants in domestic universities increases annually. This year, out of 88 thousand allocated grants, 73 thousand were awarded to this year's school graduates.
More than 380 thousand students have their stipends increased from tomorrow. Only for the last 3 years the cost per student has increased on average from 420 thousand almost to 1 million tenge," Prime Minister emphasized.
Providing students with dormitories is also an important issue. Since 2020, 10 thousand places for students are introduced annually. Under the program of state subsidies for the construction of dormitories 99 objects have already been commissioned, this year it is planned to open 32 more.
At the same time, from September 1, non-resident students from certain categories of socially vulnerable groups will be reimbursed for living expenses.
Also, starting from the new academic year the salaries of teaching staff of higher educational institutions will be increased by 20%.
Head of the Government noted that the republic has begun to reboot the model of science management. The National Council on Science and Technology and the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan have been created. Special attention is paid to the commercialization of the results of scientific research of Kazakhstani scientists.
In general, in 2023-2025, the volume of financing of science will amount to 643 billion tenge. Of these, 149 billion tenge have been allocated already this year, which is 3.5 times more than last year's level.
Last year, the labor remuneration of 1,700 leading scientists was increased by 70%. Every year young scientists began to be provided with 500 grants for internships in the leading scientific centers of the world. In addition, 11 research institutes engaged in fundamental research were transferred to direct state funding," Alikhan Smailov said.
According to him, the issues of quality and accessibility of medical care are under special control.
In particular, the issue of providing rehabilitation assistance to children with neurological diseases has been resolved. Today, 55 medical organizations provide such services, 27 of which have been introduced in the last 2 years.
In order to provide the industry with qualified personnel, the state order for residency training has been increased by 70%. This year alone it has been increased by 1000 grants.
805 billion tenge has been allocated from the republican budget over the last 3 years to increase the salaries of medical workers.
This year the implementation of the National project "Modernization of rural health care" was launched. Within its framework, 655 primary health care facilities will be built and 32 inter-district hospitals will be modernized. This will allow to cover more than 4 million rural residents with specialized medical care," Prime Minister said.
At the same time, the construction of 2 out of 8 planned regional multidisciplinary and university clinics with the use of public-private partnership mechanism has been launched.
Concluding his speech on the social block, Prime Minister emphasized that a powerful incentive for the development of domestic production of medicines was the strengthening of cooperation with a major global pharmaceutical industry from TOP-50 BIGPHARMA. Thus, agreements on localization of production of drugs in Kazakhstan have been signed with Pfizer and Roshe.
Within the framework of state support, 98 long-term agreements with 36 domestic manufacturers for the supply of medicines and medical devices are currently in force.
This year, out of 1.6 thousand trade names of drugs purchased, 947 items, i.e. 61%, were produced by domestic pharmaceutical companies," Alikhan Smailov concluded.
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12 flights delayed in Astana due to bad weather
Astana International Airport announced the delay of several flights due to monster wind pounding the Kazakh capital, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Earlier this morning, 6 out of 80 departing flights and 6 out of 82 arriving flights have been delayed.
The following outbound flights have been delayed:
- FZ1304 Astana - Dubai
- TK357 Astana - Istanbul
- IQ353 Astana - Atyrau
- IQ437 Astana - Petropavlovsk
- KC7365 Astana - Oral
- DV479 Astana - Sanya
Four flights have been delayed due to unfavorable weather conditions in Astana.
The following inbound flights have been delayed:
- KC621 Almaty - Astana
- KC7316 Kyzylorda - Astana
- DV742 Aktau - Astana
- IQ354 Almaty - Astana
- KC7366 Oral - Astana
- IQ353 Almaty - Astana
One can find details about the status of flights and possible changes in the schedule on the official website of the Astana International Airport www.nn-airport.kz or contact a 24-hour call-center 8 (7172) 702-999.
Flight operations at the Astana International Airport have been disrupted due to adverse weather conditions, including strong winds and snowstorms since November 6.
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Over 40 kulans transported to Ile-Balkhash Reserve to restore species' population
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The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in cooperation with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has successfully completed the next stage of the kulan reintroduction as part of the Turan tiger habitat restoration initiative. This month, more than 40 kulans were transported from Altyn Emel National Park to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve. In 2022, as part of this initiative, the first 60 kulans were relocated and successfully adapted to their new environment, Kazinform News Agency cites the UNDP Kazakhstan press service.
The kulan disappeared from Kazakhstan in the 1930s. To restore the population of this species, a long-term reintroduction project was implemented in several stages. Between 1953 and 1961, 14 kulans were transported to Barsa-Kelmes Island from the Badkhyz Nature Reserve in Turkmenistan. When their population on the island reached 200, the next stage-moving them to the mainland-began. This is how the kulans ended up in Altyn Emel National Park, where the restored population has become one of the most successful cases in the world regarding the reintroduction of wild odd-toed ungulates and currently represents the largest free-ranging population of kulans.
Today, in South Balkhash, the initiative to reintroduce the Turan tiger is being implemented within the territory of the Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve. In this context, extensive efforts are being made to create its food base, including the kulan reintroduction. The project is being implemented by UNDP and the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. As part of the project, in 2022, 60 kulans were transported.
The reintroduction of kulans from Altyn Emel State National Park to the Ile-Balkhash and Altyn Dala reserves is another step in the efforts of the Committee for the Conservation and Restoration of Biodiversity. The clear implementation of all scheduled action plans for the reintroduction of rare animal species, along with the support of our partners-UNDP and the Kazakhstan Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity-creates a robust basis for future environmental initiatives and the country’s achievements in restoring the ecosystem and returning lost biodiversity," noted Daniyar Turgambayev, Chairman of the Committee for Forestry and Wildlife of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Reintroduction is not only a process of transportation but also involves diligent post-relocation care and monitoring of the animals. The Ile-Balkhash State Nature Reserve aims to provide care and feeding for the transported kulans for the next six months before they are released into the wild. In addition, as part of this initiative, three kulans were tagged with telemetry to further study their behavior in the wild.
We are proud that Kazakhstan is becoming an example of successful reintroduction of species on the brink of extinction. It requires joint efforts and accountability from all participants in the process, and we are pleased to cooperate with the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan to achieve our common goal-restoration and conservation of the country's unique biological diversity," said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
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By Government decision, Khoja Ahmed Yassawi's mausoleum been placed under state protection
Images | primeminister.kz
Museum-reserve "Aziret Sultan" from now on will be under state protection. The corresponding decree was signed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov, primeminister.kz reports.
The famous historical monument mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yassaui is the first Kazakhstani site included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and belongs to the unique monuments of medieval architecture.
Taking into account its significance and historical and cultural value, as well as in order to ensure its safety, the Government adopted a resolution to include the museum-reserve ‘Әziret Sultan’ in the list of objects subject to state protection.
According to the document, the security of the object will be ensured by the relevant departments of the internal affairs bodies.
As is known, the mausoleum was erected on the burial place of the Turkic poet and founder of the Sufi order of Yassawiya Khodja Ahmed Yassawi in the city of Turkestan.
The mausoleum consists of eight rooms, which are arranged around the central, largest in the complex hall Kazandyk.
In the period from 1385 to 1405, a complex of structures was built around the mausoleum and now the museum-reserve includes a mosque, palace halls big and small aksarai, a library (kitabkhana) and an economic complex, which includes a well house (kudukkhana), kitchen (askhana), living quarters (hujra) and others.
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Acute respiratory viral infections on the rise in Kazakh capital
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7,100 ARVI cases were recorded in the Kazakh capital over the past week that is 19.5% or 1.2 times more compared the same period of the previous year, deputy head of the Astana sanitary and epidemiological control department Zhanna Praliyeva told a briefing, Kazinform News Agency reports.
She said the results of the 37th week of laboratory research claimed that no flu or COVID-19 cases were detected in patients. It revealed non-influenza respiratory viruses, such as parainfluenza virus type 4 and mixed infection. 173 pregnant women, 3,709 children under 14 years old, and 255 babies under 12 months old were diagnosed with acute respiratory viral infection.
Flu vaccination of high-risk groups, including health workers, children, and elderly people began on September 18. The vaccination campaign is rolled out at 44 healthcare facilities. It takes 14 days after vaccination before an immune response develops and remains for around a year.
Zhanna Praliyeva urged all to wash their hands, cover their cough, minimize close contact with people who may have influenza, wear masks in public places, and avoid crowded places.
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Astana hosts closing ceremony of 5th World Nomad Games
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The closing ceremony of the 5th World Nomad Games featuring a musical performance and words of congratulations from World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan and Kazakh Sport and Tourism Minister Yerbol Myrzabossynov took place in the Kazakh capital of Astana, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
World Ethnosport Confederation President Bilal Erdoğan shared that during the five days of the Games he had seen the performances of around 2,500 athletes from 89 countries. The World Nomad Games presented the history and worldview of nomads, a mixture of fascinating sport and entertaining show.
This historic organization demonstrates the world that Kazakhstan has big ambitions to institutionalize traditional sports around the world. Attracting attention on all levels, these historic games show our rich cultural heritage, as was witnessed by the opening ceremony, choice of places, sports facilities and cultural events in great detail. The World Nomad Games, held under FIPS rules, once again proved that our traditional sports are not simply competitions, he said.
Bilal Erdoğan highlighted that the Games are the means for establishing friendship, solidarity and brotherhood. Athletes brought together by the Games remind of the importance of collaboration and sharing a common culture.
For myself, the irreplaceable support of Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in holding the Games became one of the key factors of such success. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the President and the entire team, that devoted itself to the holding of the Nomad Games. Each contributed to this sports festival as well as to the history, said Bilal Erdoğan.
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Kazakhstan tops medal standings at end of 5th World Nomad Games
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Team Kazakhstan added 25 more medals at the 5th World Nomad Games to bring their total medal count to 114, including 44 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze ones, before the tournament wraps up, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
Team Kazakhstan was represented by a total of 216 athletes in 21 sports at the 5th World Nomad Games.
On Day Six of the Games, Team Kazakhstan won 25 medals, including 11 gold, nine silver and nine bronze medals.
Today, Bakyt Tolay brought Team Kazakhstan a gold medal in the Zheti kut stage in the Tenge ilu event.
Kazakhstan’s eagle hunter Serikbek Kuntugan claimed gold in the Kusbegilik final.
Team Kazakhstan won two gold and two bronze medals in the Mangala (Turkish traditional intellectual game) event, with Kundyz Yessipkep claiming the women’s gold and Aigerim Kuanyshbekova - bronze. Bigali Zkiryayev claimed a gold medal in the men’s Mangala event and Azamat Kaidarov - a bronze medal.
Kazakhstan ended up with a silver medal in the Ordo event (Kyrgyz national game). Coming in first was Team Kyrgyzstan. Tajikistan was placed third.
Kazakhstan swept the podium in the Kunan baige at the Games, with Amir Serik winning gold, Ansar Arysstanbek hauling silver and Dilnur Nurmukash settling for bronze.
Ansar Arysstanbek brought Team Kazakhstan a gold medal in the Alaman baige event. Coming in second was Khamza Amanfeldy of Kazakhstan. Kyrgyzstan’s Nurel Elessov was placed third.
Kazakhstan’s Serzhan Baktybay won gold in the Top Baige event. Arnat Muratkhan and Zhanbolat Marden of Kazahstan claimed second and third places, respectively.
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