Emergency medical staff to don video identification tags for quick recognition.
In Astana and Almaty, a groundbreaking pilot project is underway to equip emergency medical technicians with smart video devices, as reported by Vechernyaya Astana, citing the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan.
This innovative initiative aims to ensure the safety of medical workers during emergency calls and offer legal protection in cases of attacks, conflicts, and displays of aggression during their duties. The project is currently being tested in selected emergency services organizations across the two cities.
These cutting-edge video devices feature an SOS button, geolocation function, and automatic recording upload at the end of each shift. All devices are connected to a secure, centralized management system. With over 3,000 emergency service vehicle deployments already relying on these devices, they're proving to be a practical, real-world solution.
As Vice-Minister of Health Yerbol Ospanov explained, "Ensuring the safety of our medical personnel is our top priority. By implementing digital technologies that address genuine issues in the field, we're providing a valuable tool that not only enhances the safety of our medical workers but also strengthens trust in our healthcare system."
Bagdat Musin, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhtelecom JSC, underlined that smart video devices are more than just a digital solution; they ensure safety, transparency, and legal protection for both emergency medical technicians and patients.
To guarantee the system's full functionality, installation and staff training have been completed, along with integration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Operations Center. SOS and video signals are transmitted automatically to the MVD system in times of need.
Following the trial phase, there are plans to extend the technology to other cities.
Unfortunately, recent reports have shown a concerning trend in the number of attacks on medical workers in Kazakhstan. From 2019 to 2023, 158 medical professionals suffered injuries while performing their duties. With 46 cases reported in 2022, 80 in 2023, and 12 in 2024, it's evident that solutions like the smart video device trial are crucial for enhancing safety within the healthcare sector.
In a related context, a separate project in Astana involved deploying a coordinated fleet of UAVs for traffic monitoring, signaling a potential for innovative technologies to better protect urban environments [1]. Given the ongoing smart video device pilot project's focus on utilizing technology to improve safety, it may leverage advanced tech to enhance observational capabilities, providing real-time data collection and indirect environment analysis, thereby enhancing overall safety. However, specific details on the project's effectiveness are currently limited.
The smart video devices, serving as practical solutions, are empowering emergency medical technicians with features like SOS buttons, geolocation, and automatic recording upload, enhancing their safety and ensuring legal protection during medical-conditions-related emergencies. Leveraging technology, these devices could potentially be expanded to analyze urban environments and improve health-and-wellness safety, similar to the project using UAVs for traffic monitoring in Astana.
