A plane from Turkey landed at the capital’s airport tonight, carrying 125 oxygen breathing apparatuses on board. This equipment was purchased with the money of not indifferent Kazakhstanis, who supported the charity initiative of the famous aytysker (master of a traditional song competition “aytys”), Ainur Tursynbaeva. Although, some difficulties have arisen with the delivery of medical equipment to Kazakhstan.
According to the organizer, Ainur Tursynbaeva, volunteers decided to raise funds with good intentions, however, due to lack of experience, they did not take into account the issues of documenting cargo during transportation across the border. The initiator of the action notes that thanks to the agility of the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, they were able to rapidly solve all the issues with documents.
“We understand that all medical supplies and equipment imported into the country must have appropriate documents. This is as it should be, because people's lives depend on them. It is impossible to risk using low-quality devices or medicine. It is necessary to be responsible. We did not have such experience before, so we did not consider some aspects of the transportation of equipment. But now everything has ended successfully, the first batch arrived in Nur-Sultan. This is a great thing that Kazakhstan people did together. Volunteers begin to deliver devices to those in need. We all raised funds in accordance with Kazakh tradition encouraging mutual help “Asar”. I am sure that in such difficult periods we should unite and help each other,” Ainur Tursynbaeva said.
During the problems with the transportation of equipment, the initiators of the action contacted the Senate deputy, Dana Nurzhigitova, with a request to help in obtaining permission for the independent distribution of devices, bypassing SK-Pharmacy. The senator, in turn, appealed to the Ministry of Health and other state bodies so that the Kazakhstani side would accept the vital humanitarian aid, like other goods of a similar nature. Dana Nurzhigitova notes that all issues were resolved promptly thanks to the intervention of the President of the country. Support was also provided by the press secretary of the Head of State, Berik Uali, the head of the Department for Monitoring the Consideration of Appeals of the PA of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Tamara Duysenova, employees of the Kazakhstan Embassy in Turkey, the State Revenue Committee and other caring people. By common efforts - requests and appeals, the barriers that have arisen have been removed
Volunteers met the medical cargo at Nur Sultan Airport. The famous journalist Dana Nurzhigitova agreed to help the volunteer group with the acceptance and storage of equipment. It is worth noting that, the organizers of humanitarian aid refused to transfer medical equipment to SK-Pharmacy, saying that they want to independently manage the devices, delivering them to those in need through a volunteer network.
By the way, more than 850 oxygen breathing apparatuses be will purchased with the money donated by Kazakhstanis. They will arrive in two weeks from China. However, the volunteers intend to bring the total number of devices to a thousand. Thus, the cargo received is just the first batch of humanitarian aid.
On her Instagram profile, Dana Nurzhigitova has posted a video shot at night at the airport during the acceptance of equipment from Turkey. She expressed great gratitude to not indifferent people and government officials who helped with the delivery of oxygen breathing apparatuses to the country. At the same time, the senator noted that everyone should be equal before the law and even the best intentions should be committed in the legal field.
“The situation requires extraordinary decisions, initiatives. Such volunteer groups are an example for the entire state apparatus. People shouldn’t be left alone with this disaster; they should not feel abandoned. We need an “ambulance” from the state in the form of initiative and speed of effective decisions. However, with all this, the law should prevail. “Ekinshi Tynys” action showed that it is necessary to develop a legal algorithm for strong-willed decisions and actions in the pandemic. Now in the face of this insidious disease - we all must help each other, regardless of status and financial situation. Coronavirus does not distinguish between businessmen and doctors, teachers and officials, athletes and artists. We are all people first of all! Therefore, we all should help with maximum understanding and compassion in this difficult struggle against the pandemic! We shouldn’t turn away, try to ignore the problems, but to move forward and help each other,” the senator said.
The deputy also noted that unfortunately, unforgivable mistakes are made at the local level very often, that entail terrible consequences.
“The irresponsible, sometimes negligent and indifferent attitude of some employees of state bodies turns into human tragedies. Lack of medicines, untimely medical care and attempts to hide the true picture of what is happening - all this leads to deaths. The number of patients is growing. Fundamental systemic measures need to be taken - to change response mechanisms during the pandemic and other crisis periods, to severely punish corrupted officers and irresponsible local workers,” said deputy of the Senate, Dana Nurzhigitova.
