Ambulance Without Gasoline: Yekibastuz Doctors Draw Attention to Working Conditions

In Yekibastuz, ambulance doctors say they are forced to work in conditions that put patients’ lives at risk, Orda.kz reports.

Staff at the city’s fourth ambulance substation have appealed to the authorities, saying drivers are provided with only 20–30 liters of gasoline per day. This amount, they argue, is not enough to cover routine calls, especially in rural areas.

According to the doctors, ambulances sometimes break down on the way to patients because they run out of fuel.

Instead of support, they claim, management pressures them and is uncouth.

 Young paramedics who have just completed their studies are assigned to work without mentors, which directly puts the health of patients at risk,  the appeal says.

Other complaints include unreasonable work schedules, high staff turnover, excessive workloads, and management ignoring employee concerns.

The workers are demanding that ambulances be adequately supplied with fuel, that attitudes toward young specialists improve, and that the actions of management be investigated.

Previously, we had not received such complaints from the team. We recommend contacting us by E-Otinish or e-mail, with an employment contract or other supporting documents attached, said Abylai Sabyrov, deputy head of the State Labor Inspectorate Committee.

Just last week, anonymous letters appeared in the Pavlodar region accusing the head of the regional health department, Iran Shametekov, of disciplining hospital and clinic directors.

Against the backdrop of tighter controls over mortality rates and vaccinations, complaints have been mounting. Shametekov called the criticism resistance to reform and said he will continue efforts to improve healthcare quality.

Original Author: Ruslan Loginov