Doctors Jailed, Bosses Walk in HIV Scandal
I apologize for not posting on this topic sooner. The largest story of the last several weeks, indeed, perhaps the largest story of the year in terms of human interest in Kazakhstan, has been the trial related to the infection of some 118 children (and growing) with HIV.
Radio Free Europe/Radioliberty has an excellent piece on the topic. The gist is that doctors, nurses, and administrators engaged in a pattern of corruption and negligence which lead to a huge number of children being infected. However, only the doctors and nurses are going to jail; the politically-connected administrators (one of them is the sister of the mayor of Almaty), got off with three-year suspended sentences.
Here’s how the scam worked: processed blood is expensive, and checking it is expensive too. So a group of health professionals in Southern Kazakhstan gathered uprocessed blood, used it in treatment for these children, claimed it was processed blood, and pocketed the difference. There were also issues with non-sterilized equipment.
Locals here seem both more informed and more interested in this topic than in the ongoing Aliev fiasco, however, I realize this may not be the case in other regions (like Almaty and Astana). People are very angry about this, particularly the blatantly-unfair and far-too-lenient sentence for the corrupt adminstrators. The families will have to hope for justice in the appeal process.
on July 10th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Some of us in Astana are worried with all the construction workers from South Kazakhstan walking around! However, we are quite used to connected people making mistakes and getting punished with a promotion!
on October 22nd, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I live and work in Shymkent (I am a British Chemical Engineer), and know the full extent of the problem. You may not be aware that the transfusions were in fact not necessary, and were just recommended by the doctors to the generally village people, who followed the “respected” doctors advice. One kid received 20 unnecessary transfusions. They made a nice packet from this. Meanwhile the children and parents are already being forgotten about. I am working with some of the parents to establish a long term foundation to offer support on a western style charity basis. The first thing is a business plan which will include establishing a fund which will be ring fenced, auditable, etc. Only then will we invite donations. Does anyone have suggestions for how to develop this? Any suggestions on lawyers, banks, etc, who might be friendly to helping get this off the ground?
Thank you
on November 9th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Dear Jeff,
I would very much like to somehow help you with this. Maybe you try to get in contact with Voluntary Society of Charity www.dom.kz ? They have pretty big experience in charitavle activities. Another potential donor is Seimar Social Fund http://www.seimarfund.kz