The servicemen who left the checkpoints will undergo a mandatory examination in a special laboratory, which has begun to function in Almaty. This is done in order not to introduce a possible infection into military camps and soldiers' barracks and thereby not expose other colleagues to danger.

The corresponding instruction on this was given by the Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Nurlan Ermekbaev during a meeting at the Ministry of Defense. The first PCR laboratory (polymerase chain reaction) of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan will allow testing not only for COVID-19, but also for at least 20 other types of dangerous infections. "CARAVAN" managed to visit it and get an exclusive comment from the head of the sanitary-epidemiological center of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan, lieutenant colonel of the medical service Nurlan KADYRMANOV.

The personnel of the Armed Forces from the first days actively participated in measures to combat the spread of coronavirus, and KARAVAN talked about this in its reports on disinfection, on service at checkpoints, on the participation of military personnel in patrolling settlements. Given the constant presence in close proximity to sources of dangerous infection, early detection of possible infection is especially important.

- Nurlan Myrzagalievich, how will this work to identify possible infection be carried out?

- Our specialists will travel to the specified addresses and take samples for research. Everything you need for this is available. By the decision of the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, the necessary premises were repaired in the shortest possible time and under quarantine conditions, and a staff was allocated for this laboratory. We have installed modern South Korean equipment manufactured in 2020.

- What university did you graduate from and what specialty do you have?

- Doctor-hygienist, epidemiologist. In 1997 he graduated from the State Medical Academy in Karaganda. He has been in the Armed Forces for over 18 years.

- Where exactly did your laboratory staff receive training?

- In the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Expertise and Monitoring.

Conscience, nobility and dignity

The creation of our own virological laboratory in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan became possible thanks to the charitable support of the construction company "SABA GROUP". Its owner was the main initiator of this noble cause. The company purchased and donated the necessary equipment to the military of the Almaty garrison, provided technical support and even organized personnel training.

- We will carry out a study to diagnose coronavirus by real-time PCR, continues Nurlan Kadyrmanov. - The waiting time for the result is 4–5 hours after the samples are delivered to the laboratory.

- What is the risk of the medical staff getting infected with something?

- This is our job. The risk, as you well know, is always present, but we take absolutely all precautions here. Infection of personnel is excluded. Everything happens behind the glass. The building also has special ventilation and a number of other necessary preventive measures.

- What specific research will you conduct in this laboratory in addition to detecting COVID-19?

- So far, tests are available only for coronavirus. But the equipment and competence of the PCR laboratory staff allow to conduct research for at least 21 infections. True, with the appropriate tests.

A source: caravan.kz