During his working trip to Abay region, Prime Minister Alikhan Smailov got acquainted with the exposition of the State Historical and Cultural and Literary Memorial Museum-Reserve of Abay "Zhidebay-Borili", met with representatives of the creative intelligentsia of the region and visited several major medical centers.

In the territory of "Zhidebay-Borili" the Head of Government laid flowers to the monument "Abay Akyn Uldarymen" and then got acquainted with the exposition of the museum-reserve.

Zhidebay tract is one of the sacred places connected with the name of Abay. The last 10 years of the great thinker's life were spent here, during which he wrote 76 lyric poems, 27 of 45 "Words of exhortation", translated literary works of Lermontov and Krylov. In turn, Borili is the golden cradle of childhood and adolescence years of the great writer and scholar Mukhtar Auezov. Nowadays, the funds of the museum-reserve "Zhidebay-Borili" contain about 21,600 exhibits and the scientific library has over 14,500 books.

In the course of the meeting of Prime Minister with intellectuals of the region the issues of construction of new and development of existing educational institutions, implementation of projects in the sphere of culture and art, holding the events devoted to Shakarim Kudaiberdiyev's 165th anniversary, etc. were discussed.

Answering one of the questions, Alikhan Smailov noted that in Abay region there are about 300 cultural and art centers, where more than 2 thousand people work. This includes museums, archives, libraries, philharmonic societies, houses of culture, etc.  

"The Government is taking measures to improve the social situation of workers who contribute to the development of culture. Since last year a gradual increase in the salaries of cultural workers began in the republic. By 2025 the level of wages must increase twice," he said.

At the same time Prime Minister outlined plans for further construction of schools, increase of educational grants for students, development of universities in the region and opening of new dormitories under them. He stressed that these steps will make a significant contribution to the realization of cultural and humanitarian potential of the region.

During his working trip Prime Minister also familiarized himself with the work of the Center of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, that provides specialized cancer care to residents of the region. In the medical institution there are 165 beds of round-the-clock hospital of different profiles, departments of radial, clinical and radionuclide diagnostics, endoscopy department, etc. are functioning. High-tech therapies are used to treat patients.

"The center has the only radionuclide therapy department in the country and has improved the material and technical base for disease diagnosis.  At the same time early detection of oncological diseases implies surgical treatment. The center needs a modern surgical building where highly qualified assistance will be provided. The Health Ministry will be instructed to work out this issue," Alikhan Smailov said.

However, the Head of Government added that the Integrated Regional Development Plan provided for the construction of a multipurpose hospital for 400 beds, a children's hospital for 300 beds, regional blood center and two clinics in Semey, as well as 65 new facilities for primary health care in rural areas of the region.

Then Prime Minister visited a new regional center for habilitation and rehabilitation for people with disabilities with 150 beds, which was built at the expense of budget funds and commissioned early this year. The Center has several swimming pools, a gym with state-of-the-art equipment, therapeutic showers and baths, occupational therapy rooms, specialized classrooms, a library, rest rooms, and much more.

It provides comprehensive medical, social, psychological and pedagogical rehabilitation of children and adults in semi-permanent conditions. Temporary accommodation from 1 to 6 months is envisaged for nonresidents.

According to Alikhan Smailov, new rehabilitation centers to accommodate 150 people each are planned to be built in 12 regions by 2025. This will provide citizens with disabilities with round-the-clock accommodation for the period of rehabilitation.  

"The opening of these centers will expand access to specialized social services for residents of the regions, including remote communities," he said.

#Alikhan Smailov #The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Regions