Tokayev says Kazakhstan will never abandon social obligations, cites constitutional guarantee

September 19, 2026 at 04:36 PM2 min

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President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on September 19 in Astana that Kazakhstan will never abandon its social obligations, citing the constitutional guarantee of free medical care. He highlighted benefits including three-year maternity leave and free treatment for socially significant diseases. Tokayev also alleged widespread abuse in disability status assignment, noting the number of disabled persons once exceeded 800,000.

Key Facts

Tokayev said the state will never abandon its social obligations because the mission is clearly written in the Constitution.
The Constitution includes a separate provision guaranteeing a guaranteed volume of free medical care.
In Kazakhstan, the number of disabled persons once exceeded 800,000 with a population of 20 million, which Tokayev called impossible to believe in peaceful conditions.
Mothers in Kazakhstan have the right to three years of maternity leave with benefits and job retention.
Tokayev mentioned the Qazaqstan Halqyna Foundation, which helps seriously ill children.

Constitutional Guarantee

Tokayev stated that the state will never abandon its social obligations because this mission is clearly and unambiguously written in the Constitution. He noted that the Constitution contains a separate provision on the state's obligation to provide a guaranteed volume of free medical care. Tokayev urged the audience to check other constitutions for a similar obligation, saying 'Please, tear yourself away from TikTok and ask in which other constitution such a state obligation is contained.' He emphasized that Kazakhstan provides budget-funded medical care not only to citizens but also to kandases arriving from abroad and certain categories of foreign citizens permanently residing in the country.

Social Benefits and Abuse

Tokayev listed free medical services including district doctor appointments, basic check-ups, diagnosis, emergency care, treatment of socially significant diseases such as diabetes, oncology, and tuberculosis, medication provision, ambulance services, and even sanitary aviation. He mentioned that a seriously ill scientist was recently evacuated from Italy by sanitary aviation. Tokayev said the number of disabled persons in Kazakhstan once exceeded 800,000 with a population of 20 million, which he called impossible to believe in peaceful conditions. He cited Anton Chekhov's phrase 'This cannot be, because this can never be' to express disbelief at the figure. Tokayev alleged obvious abuses in the social sphere, especially in the process of assigning disability of various degrees.

Maternity Leave and International Comparison

Tokayev reminded that mothers in Kazakhstan have the right to three years of maternity leave with benefits and retention of financial package and, most importantly, their job. He said the state is obliged to employ young mothers at least at their previous workplace. Tokayev contrasted this with countries that top international rankings, where such social benefits do not exist and cannot exist. He said young mothers abroad rush back to work after half a month to avoid losing their jobs and have not heard of guaranteed free medical care. Tokayev mentioned the Qazaqstan Halqyna Foundation, which helps seriously ill children.