Code of Ethics

1. General Provisions

1.1. The Code of Ethics of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases (hereinafter, the Code) is a set of standards to be observed by all employees of the institution. These standards define the moral responsibility of healthcare professionals of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases toward citizens and society as a whole.

1.2. The Code of Ethics regulates interpersonal relations within the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases and gives moral meaning to the joint activities of employees.

1.3. The main purpose of the Code is to foster a positive attitude toward the institution and the profession in society and to help each employee follow proper conduct toward patients and colleagues.

1.4. The provisions of the Code apply to all employees of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases.

1.5. The provisions of the Code must be observed by physicians, administrative staff and healthcare professionals directly involved in the clinical and preventive activities of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases.

1.6. If the Code is violated, sanctions may be imposed by the Ethics Commission and the Disciplinary Commission.

1.7. The Ethics Commission is established to consider ethical issues arising in the provision of medical care and compliance with the Code. Where necessary, and with the physician’s consent, the Ethics Commission may defend the physician’s honor and dignity in the media, public life and court if the physician’s professional actions comply with the Code.

2. Corporate Rules of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases

2.1. The image of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases is an important instrument for achieving common goals and implementing the objectives of the Institute. Employees must be polite, friendly and responsive and must show tolerance in cases of inappropriate treatment or communication by any third parties.

2.2. Employees of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases must strictly observe labor discipline. If circumstances may lead to a breach of discipline, the employee must inform the immediate supervisor. The employee should seek to minimize the occurrence of such circumstances.

2.3. Employees must comply with the rules on medical attire and staff appearance established by the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases. The appearance of medical staff has a significant influence on the moral atmosphere within the Institute. Medical staff are expected to be neat, tidy, well-groomed and to wear a moderate amount of jewelry. Every healthcare professional must wear an identification badge stating the surname, given name, patronymic and position of the physician or nurse.

2.4. The Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases strives to provide employees with safe workplaces. Each employee bears personal responsibility to other employees and to the Institute for eliminating actions or circumstances that undermine this environment.

2.5. The laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the policy of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases prohibit discrimination in recruitment, professional development and promotion on the grounds of nationality, religion, sex, age or sexual orientation. Personnel decisions are made without differentiation on any ground other than work performance. All performance indicators are assessed fairly and equal opportunities are provided to every employee.

2.6. Every employee of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases must perform duties safely and must not be under the influence of alcohol, narcotic drugs or other toxic substances. Disciplinary measures, up to and including dismissal, may be applied to persons using prohibited substances during working hours.

2.7. Bribery is illegal and punishable under the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Any personal payments, bribes or rewards to persons who are partners or suppliers, or the receipt of such benefits, may subject an employee to serious disciplinary action, including possible legal prosecution.

3. Corporate Values of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases

Mission

To strengthen ophthalmic health and improve the quality of life of citizens with diseases of the visual system.

Vision

As a leading ophthalmology center in the Republic of Kazakhstan and Central Asia, to provide all types of ophthalmic care through the synergy of clinical, scientific and educational activities and the introduction of modern high-technology diagnostic and treatment methods, while operating effectively in a competitive environment.

Values

The team of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases strictly observes the scientific and practical principles of medical ethics.

4. Healthcare Professional and Society

4.1. The main purpose of the professional activity of a healthcare professional at the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases is to preserve human life, prevent disease and restore health. Healthcare professionals perform their duties in accordance with the Hippocratic Oath, the principles of humanism and compassion, and the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

4.2. A healthcare professional of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases bears full responsibility for professional decisions and actions and is therefore required to continuously improve professionally.

4.3. In professional practice, a healthcare professional of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases should use the latest achievements of medical science known to the professional and authorized for use by the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

4.4. Motives of material or personal benefit must not influence professional decisions. A physician must not lose professional independence. Motives of material and personal gain, career advancement and personal ambition must not prevail when professional decisions are made.

4.5. A healthcare professional must not accept incentives from manufacturers or distributors of medicinal products in return for prescribing the products they offer.

4.6. When prescribing medicines, a healthcare professional must be guided strictly by medical indications and solely by the interests of the patient.

4.7. A healthcare professional of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases must provide medical care to anyone who needs it regardless of age, sex, race, nationality, religion, social status, political views, citizenship or other non-medical factors, including financial status.

4.8. A healthcare professional must faithfully fulfill obligations toward the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases. A physician must be honest with patients and colleagues, take a principled position regarding the professional shortcomings of other physicians, acknowledge personal mistakes and avoid deception and fraud.

4.9. At the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases, physicians provide medical care free of charge within the guaranteed volume of free medical care and under agreements for paid services. Demanding from a patient or the patient’s relatives any remuneration not provided for by laws and regulations is criminal and immoral.

4.10. Healthcare professionals who train young specialists must, through their conduct and attitude toward their duties, serve as an example worthy of emulation.

4.11. A healthcare professional must use available means, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television and conversations, to promote a healthy lifestyle and serve as an example in observing public and professional ethical standards.

4.12. A healthcare professional may engage in other activities if they are compatible with professional independence, do not diminish the dignity of the healthcare professional and do not harm patients or professional work.

4.13. The right of a healthcare professional to engage in private practice is regulated by law.

4.14. The humane goals served by healthcare professionals give them grounds to require lawful protection of personal dignity, adequate material support and conditions necessary for professional practice.

4.15. Compliance with medical ethics is monitored by the healthcare professional’s immediate supervisors.

5. Healthcare Professional and Patient

5.1. A healthcare professional of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases is responsible for the quality of medical care provided to patients. In professional practice, the healthcare professional must be guided by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan and applicable regulatory documents, including medical standards, and within those requirements, taking into account the characteristics of the disease, select the methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment considered most effective in each particular case, guided by the patient’s interests. When necessary, the healthcare professional must seek assistance from colleagues.

5.2. A healthcare professional must not expose a patient to unjustified risk or use professional knowledge for inhumane purposes. When choosing any treatment method, the healthcare professional must be guided first by the principle “Do no harm.” Except in emergencies, a healthcare professional may decline to treat a patient if there is no necessary mutual trust, if the professional feels insufficiently competent or does not have the necessary capabilities to provide treatment. In such cases, the healthcare professional must inform the immediate supervisor and recommend a competent specialist to the patient.

5.3. A healthcare professional of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases must respect the patient’s right to choose a treating physician and medical institution and to participate in decisions concerning preventive and therapeutic measures. The patient’s voluntary consent to treatment must be informed. The patient must be informed about treatment methods, the consequences of their use, possible complications and alternative treatment methods. Diagnostic and treatment procedures without the patient’s consent are permitted only when there is a threat to the patient’s life or health and the patient is unable to adequately assess the situation. Such decisions are made collectively. When treating a child, the healthcare professional must provide full information to the child’s parents or guardians and obtain their consent to the proposed treatment method or medicinal product.

5.4. A healthcare professional must respect the patient’s honor and dignity, treat the patient with kindness, respect the patient’s right to privacy and understand the concerns of relatives and close persons regarding the patient’s condition. At the same time, without sufficient professional grounds, the healthcare professional must not interfere in the private affairs of the patient or family members.

5.5. A patient or the patient’s relatives/guardians have the right to comprehensive information about the patient’s health. The patient may refuse such information or designate a person to whom information about the patient’s health should be disclosed.

5.6. In the event of an unfavorable prognosis, the patient should be informed with the utmost delicacy and care, while leaving hope for a possible favorable outcome.

5.7. At the patient’s request, a healthcare professional must not obstruct the patient’s right to seek consultation from another healthcare professional.

5.8. Self-promotion by a healthcare professional when communicating with a patient is unacceptable.

5.9. If an error occurs or unforeseen complications develop during treatment, the healthcare professional must inform the patient and the immediate supervisor and immediately begin actions aimed at correcting harmful consequences.

5.10. A physician may perform professional duties only under the physician’s own surname, without using a pseudonym or indicating titles, degrees or ranks that have not been officially awarded.

6. Patient Rights

6.1. A patient has the following rights:

1. to dignified treatment during diagnosis, treatment and care, and respectful treatment of cultural and personal values;
2. to receive medical care in an order determined exclusively by medical criteria, without the influence of discriminatory factors;
3. to choose or change a physician or medical organization;
4. to receive support from family, relatives and friends, as well as representatives of religious associations;
5. to relief of suffering to the extent permitted by the existing level of medical technology;
6. to obtain an independent opinion on health status and to have a medical consultation by a panel of specialists;
7. to other rights provided by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

6.2. A patient has the right to receive information about rights and duties, available services, the cost of paid services and the procedure for receiving them. Information on patient rights must be displayed in visible information areas of medical organizations.

6.3. Upon admission to the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases, the patient must be informed of the names and professional status of those who will provide medical services, as well as the internal rules of the medical organization.

6.4. Medical care must be provided after obtaining the patient’s informed voluntary oral or written consent.

6.5. When receiving medical care, the patient has the right to comprehensive information about health status, including possible risks and benefits of proposed and alternative treatment methods, possible consequences of refusing treatment, diagnosis, prognosis and treatment plan in a form understandable to the patient, as well as an explanation of the reasons for discharge.

7. Ethical Standards and Rules of Conduct in Communication with Colleagues

7.1. An employee of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases must protect the honor and noble traditions of the medical community. Employees should treat one another with respect and goodwill. The team should foster an atmosphere of mutual trust, respect and mutual support.

1. Employees must not make public statements that present the work of the Kazakh Research Institute of Eye Diseases or work at the Institute in a negative or distorted manner.
2. In relations with colleagues, an employee should behave as the employee would wish colleagues to behave toward them.
3. An employee must not publicly question another employee’s professional qualifications or otherwise discredit that person. Professional criticism should be reasoned, expressed in a non-offensive manner and, preferably, discussed privately.
4. Every employee should remember that all internal relationships are built on the principles of professional hierarchy and subordination.
5. Employees should avoid situations in which a conflict of interest may arise, meaning a situation where personal or professional interests may influence the objectivity and justification of actions within professional duties.
6. If a conflict of interest arises, the employee should give priority to the patient’s interests unless doing so would cause direct harm to the patient or others.

8. Rights of Healthcare Professionals

8.1. A healthcare professional has the following rights:

1. protection of professional honor and dignity;
2. conditions necessary for carrying out professional activities;
3. professional development and retraining financed from budget funds;
4. compensation for harm to life or health caused in connection with the performance of employment or official duties;
5. unobstructed and free use of communication facilities belonging to organizations or citizens, as well as any available transport, for transferring a person to the nearest medical organization in life-threatening situations;
6. reimbursement of transport expenses associated with work requiring travel;
7. recognition and encouragement for performing professional duties at a high standard.