Shymkent's city infectious diseases hospital is short of beds — mothers with sick children are forced to lie on the floor in the corridors. Footage from the facility was taken by visitors and shared on social media.
According to the Telegram channel «HALYQSTAN», the footage shows patients in the children's ward placed on mattresses directly in the corridors. A woman off-camera asks why a city of a million people still does not have a modern infectious diseases hospital with sufficient capacity.
The medical facility was built more than 40 years ago and has a capacity of 360 beds. The hospital admits both adults and children, with the paediatric ward remaining the busiest.
At the beginning of the year, the hospital underwent major repairs: ventilation and heating were replaced, and equipment was updated. However, according to patients, conditions remain unsatisfactory.
Shymkent's akimat confirmed that the ward is overcrowded. According to representatives of the city's health department, the temporary placement of patients in corridors is due to ongoing repairs and is not considered a violation of sanitary standards.
"Eight of the hospital's ten departments operate around the clock, providing care for particularly dangerous infections. The wards are designed for 2–4 beds and are equipped with separate sanitary facilities and a ventilation system," the akimat reported.
The health department noted that during a mass influx of patients, the temporary placement of patients in corridors is supposedly permissible and complies with orders from the ministry of health.
The hospital administration assures that all patients are under constant observation and receive the necessary treatment.