On August 30, one of the main state holidays of our country is celebrated - the Constitution Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On this day, in 1995, the Basic Law of the Republic was adopted at a national referendum. The value of the Constitution of Kazakhstan as the basic law and a political document proclaiming the goals, ideals and principles of the life of every person and citizen, the structure of society and the state, characterize its supremacy in the national legal system of the state, the direct effect of the norms enshrined in it, ensuring human rights and freedoms and at the same time the need to meet the urgent needs of social development. This also applies to the education of morality, national patriotism, and respect for everyone's health.
In accordance with the Constitution, Kazakhstan is a democratic, secular and legal state, the highest values of which are a person, his life, rights and freedoms. The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan has proclaimed a wide range of human and civil rights and freedoms, among which the right to health protection and medical care occupies a special place (Article 29). It is obvious that in the context of the global pandemic of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), this norm has become even more relevant for the population of Kazakhstan.
The right to health protection is enshrined in such international documents as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Charter of the World Health Organization, etc. As you know, "health is the main benefit of life," and in the context of the international pandemic of recent years, it is becoming paramount. In all respects, human health is the main social value, the main preference of a modern civilized society, public and personal welfare and wealth, a guarantee of the stability of the development of citizens, the basis of the national security of the country.
Over the 26 years of the Constitution, Kazakhstan has undoubtedly reached great heights in the field of ensuring human and civil rights and freedoms. In order to ensure its norms, a legal reform was carried out, which became the basis for the progressive development of the country in all spheres of society. During this time, along with the proclaimed international legal acts and the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, fundamental important program documents and legislative acts were adopted (the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On the Health of the people and the health System", the State Program for the Development of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020-2025 and others).
Today, we can say with good reason that the Basic Law has become the key to the stability and unity of Kazakhstan's society. It should be noted that in the long-term Development Strategy of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2050, the main goal is to create a welfare society based on a strong state, a developed economy and opportunities for universal labor, as well as Kazakhstan's entry into the top thirty most developed countries in the world. As one of the seven long-term priorities in the implementation of this strategy, the state has identified "new principles of social policy - social guarantees and personal responsibility", where healthcare is an important industry that provides social guarantees of the state in ensuring public health protection and supports the personal responsibility of citizens for maintaining and strengthening their health.
We see the implementation of the norms of the Constitution in the progressive activity of the state to ensure the right to health protection. Priority areas of public health protection in Kazakhstan are: "health promotion through the formation of medical and social activity among the population and attitudes to a healthy lifestyle; raising awareness of the population about the main aspects of health and risk factors; epidemiological surveillance of infectious and priority non-communicable diseases; organization of interaction of all interested state bodies, organizations and departments, public associations, business communities and other individuals and legal entities".
It should be noted that for all the importance and significance of the constitutional values proclaimed in the Basic Law, they will not work by themselves, since their implementation and success depends, first of all, on their deep and comprehensive understanding by citizens. In this regard, as the Leader of the Nation N. Nazarbayev has repeatedly noted: "Only the joint, painstaking and constructive work of all state bodies, representatives of civil society, every citizen of Kazakhstan, can lead to the achievement of those lofty goals that are defined by the Basic Law."
Dear colleagues, please accept my most sincere congratulations on the state holiday - Constitution Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan!
With respect,
Department of Medical Law and Ethics of NAO "Astana Medical University"
List of sources used:
- "Strategy "kAzakhstan-2050": a new political course of the established state" - Message of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev to the people of Kazakhstan dated December 14, 2012. Electronic resource: /https://www.akorda.kz/ru/events/astana kazakhstan/participation_in_events/poslanie-prezidenta-respubliki-kazahstan-lidera-nacii-nursultana-nazarbaeva-narodu-kazahstana-strategiya-kazahstan-2050-novyi-politicheskii-
- The Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated July 7, 2020 No. 360-VI ZRK "On the health of the people and the healthcare system". /Electronic resource: IPS NPA RK "Adilet" / https://adilet.zan.kz/rus/docs/K2000000360#z0
