To protect the rights of medical workers, teachers, and other officials, an initiative to tighten penalties for such attacks has been launched.
What’s new in the law?
Changes to the Criminal Code proposed by the Ministry of Health were recently signed by President Sadyr Japarov.The law introduces criminal liability for causing minor harm to health if it leads to a temporary health disorder or minor persistent loss of work capacity for individuals performing official or public duties.
Now, fines for such actions range from 500 to 1000 calculated indicators (50,000 to 100,000 soms).
Changes were also made to Article 280 of the Criminal Code concerning liability for hooliganism against individuals carrying out their professional activities. Such actions now carry fines from 50,000 to 100,000 soms or imprisonment for three to five years.
Will the law work?
Bermet Baryktabasova, chair of the Independent Medical Trade Union, believes that changes in the criminal code may compel citizens to restrain their aggression. She emphasizes that it is important for no case of violence to go unpunished.
The effectiveness of the law will depend on the medical workers themselves: whether they will report to the police and pursue their cases to the end.
Bermet Baryktabasova
According to her, previously, victims did not even contact the emergency number 102.
“They preferred to remain silent, endure, and not believe in justice. But gradually, doctors began to call the police and then take their cases to court. Nevertheless, cases of 'minor harm to health' often did not lead to serious punishments for the offenders. Laws and codes did not work, and such attacks were treated as domestic conflicts,” she noted in a conversation with 24.kg.
Medical workers most often become victims of attacks in the workplace, which is why they advocated for tougher penalties for violence.
Bermet Baryktabasova
“After numerous refusals, we finally reached an agreement with law enforcement agencies. Our union showed persistence in the fight against violence, which led to changes in criminal legislation,” she added.
Now, in her opinion, law enforcement agencies are obliged to respond to all cases of violence against medical workers, teachers, and other professionals in the workplace.
Chinara Asizbaeva, executive director of the Association of Healthcare Organization Leaders of Kyrgyzstan, noted that this law is very necessary and timely.
“It is important for it to come into effect. Medical workers' salaries are low, and if they continue to be assaulted at work, who will remain to work?” she expressed her opinion.
Almaz Tajybay, director of the Center for State Policy Analysis, expressed regret over the high level of aggression in society. “Doctors and teachers work for meager salaries, experience enormous workloads, and face rudeness. This is unacceptable. Changes in legislation have become a necessity,” he added.
The expert also emphasized that most conflicts end in reconciliation, which does not contribute to reducing aggression and increasing accountability.
A fine of 100,000 soms will hit hard. Now people will think twice before showing aggression.
Almaz Tajybay
How are things in other countries?
In Kazakhstan, there is a rise in cases of violence against medical workers. According to media reports, since 2019, over 170 attacks on doctors and other medical workers have been recorded.Deputy Guldary Nuryim notes that the level of aggression in this sector is incomparable to other industries, and the phrase “The patient is always right” effectively devalues the work of medical professionals, turning them into service staff.
In September, the government proposed amendments to legislation that tighten penalties for violence against medical workers and ambulance drivers.
Among the new measures, penalties include fines, restrictions, and imprisonment.
For example, for the use of violence threatening life and health, imprisonment of five to ten years may be imposed.
Round-the-clock police posts have been organized in 152 medical institutions. In Astana and Almaty, smart video badges are being piloted in ambulance teams, which has reduced the number of conflicts with patients.
A system of video surveillance with AI analytics and emergency panic buttons is also planned to be implemented in medical organizations.
The issue of violence against medical workers is also relevant in Uzbekistan, especially for ambulance teams and drivers.
In March 2023, amendments were made to the Code of Administrative Responsibility in Uzbekistan. Responsibility was introduced for obstructing the work of a medical worker or unlawfully influencing them in any form, which includes fines or arrest for up to 15 days.
According to media reports, in 2024, 87 people were punished under this article.
In Russia, over 1,700 attacks on medical workers were registered in 2023. However, the number of offenders held accountable remains minimal, and sanctions are limited to fines of 5,000 rubles and verbal reprimands. In the summer of 2025, a bill will be submitted to the State Duma to tighten responsibility for attacks on medical workers.
