CODE OF ETHICS FOR EMPLOYEES OF ECOMED FIRM LLP

The Code of Ethics for Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP (hereinafter referred to as the “Code”) is a document establishing a set of ethical standards and principles of conduct for medical and social workers (hereinafter referred to as “Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP”) in the performance of their professional medical activities.

The Code has been developed on the basis of Chapter 31, Article 184 of the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Public Health and the Healthcare System.”

This Code governs relations between ECOMED FIRM LLP, society, and Patients and is intended to ensure the protection of the rights, dignity, and health of individuals and society as a whole. It also establishes the high moral responsibility of Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP to society for their professional activities.

SECTION I. GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Code of Ethics for Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP defines the moral responsibility of medical and social workers for their professional activities toward citizens and society as a whole.

In their professional activities, Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall be guided by the following moral and ethical principles:

— comply with this Code and the Code of Honor;
— contribute to strengthening and protecting the health of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
— make decisions exclusively in the interests of the Patient;
— refrain from actions that may discredit the honorable status of a healthcare professional of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
— perform their professional duties conscientiously and to a high standard;
— continuously improve their professional knowledge and skills;
— refrain from promoting or using methods and means of prevention and treatment for reasons of personal gain;
— strictly observe labor discipline;
— handle the Center’s property with due care and use it efficiently;
— oppose all manifestations of corruption;
— refrain from using official information for personal gain or other private purposes;
— contribute by personal example to maintaining a stable and positive moral and psychological environment within the team;
— prevent and address violations of the Code of Honor by other medical and pharmaceutical professionals;
— comply with the established dress code while performing professional duties.

In their relationships with Patients, Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall:

— respect human rights, honor, and dignity regardless of age, sex, nationality, religion, citizenship, origin, social status, official position, financial status, or any other circumstances;
— provide medical assistance to everyone who requires it;
— always remember their duty to preserve human life;
— contribute to strengthening public confidence in the national healthcare system;
— refrain from any form of financial or other extortion from Patients and make every effort to prevent such conduct by colleagues;
— conduct themselves in a manner that does not give reasonable grounds for public criticism, respond to criticism with tolerance, and use constructive criticism to address shortcomings and improve professional performance.

In their relationships with colleagues, Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall:

— observe generally accepted moral and ethical standards and behave politely and appropriately;
— provide colleagues with assistance without expectation of personal benefit and seek advice from colleagues whenever required in the Patient’s interests;
— refrain from publicly questioning the professional qualifications of another medical or pharmaceutical professional;
— uphold and further develop the traditions and achievements of medicine in Kazakhstan.

Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall make every effort, within the limits of their qualifications and competence, to protect the health of citizens and ensure that the care they provide is of the highest possible quality.

Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall provide medical assistance to any person regardless of sex, age, race, nationality, place of residence, social status, religious or political beliefs, or any other non-medical factors.

Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP bear responsibility, including moral responsibility, for ensuring high-quality and safe medical care in accordance with their qualifications, job descriptions, and professional duties and within the limits of available resources.

It is the moral duty of Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP to uphold the integrity of the medical community and to objectively analyze both their colleagues’ mistakes and their own. Employees shall oppose the practices of dishonest or incompetent colleagues, as well as other unqualified persons whose activities may harm Patients’ health.

Considering the role of medical and social workers in society, they should support and, where reasonably possible, participate in public initiatives, particularly those promoting a healthy lifestyle.

SECTION II. PROHIBITED CONDUCT OF EMPLOYEES OF ECOMED FIRM LLP

Abuse of professional knowledge or position by an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP is incompatible with professional medical practice.

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall not:

— use professional knowledge or capabilities for inhumane purposes;
— apply or refuse medical measures without sufficient grounds;
— use medical interventions as a means of punishing a Patient or in the interests of third parties;
— impose personal philosophical, religious, or political views on a Patient;
— intentionally or negligently cause physical, moral, or material harm to a Patient or remain indifferent to actions of third parties causing such harm.

Personal prejudices of an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP and other non-professional motives shall not influence diagnosis or treatment.

A Patient’s refusal of proposed paid Medical Services shall not constitute grounds for reducing the quality or accessibility, or limiting the types or scope, of medical care provided free of charge within the guaranteed volume of free medical care established by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Gifts from Patients and gifts to Patients are strongly discouraged because they may create an impression among Patients who do not give or receive gifts that they receive a lower standard of care. Gifts shall neither be given nor accepted in exchange for services. Acceptance of cash or valuable gifts is prohibited.

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall not use their professional position or a Patient’s emotional state to enter into property-related transactions with the Patient, use the Patient’s labor for personal purposes, or engage in extortion or bribery.

When prescribing a course of treatment, an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall not provide the Patient with false, incomplete, or misleading information regarding the medicinal products or medical devices used, including withholding information about lower-priced medicinal products or medical devices that are available.

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall not accept incentives from manufacturers or distributors of medicinal products for prescribing their products and shall not use, on the premises of the medical organization, items bearing a company logo or the trade name of a medicinal product or medical device.

When performing professional duties, a healthcare professional must remain sober and must not be under the influence of any substance capable of causing dependence.

Professional Independence

It is both the right and the duty of an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP to maintain professional independence.

When providing medical and social assistance to newborns and elderly persons, persons with disabilities, military personnel and civilians, senior officials, and persons held in custody, a healthcare professional assumes full responsibility for professional decisions and must therefore reject any attempts at pressure from the administration, Patients, or other persons.

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall refuse to cooperate with any individual or legal entity that requires the Employee to perform actions contrary to the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, ethical principles, or professional duty.

When participating in expert evaluations, medical consultations, commissions, consultations with other specialists, and similar activities, an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall clearly and openly state their professional position and defend their point of view. In the event of pressure, the Employee shall seek legal and public protection.

SECTION III. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND PATIENTS

Respect for the Patient’s Honor and Dignity

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall respect the Patient’s honor and dignity and demonstrate an attentive and patient attitude toward the Patient and the Patient’s relatives.

Rude or inhumane treatment of a Patient, humiliation of the Patient’s human dignity, as well as any demonstration of superiority, preferential treatment, or hostility toward any Patient by an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP is unacceptable.

Conditions for the Provision of Medical and Social Care

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall provide medical and social assistance under conditions that impose the minimum possible restrictions on the Patient’s freedom and dignity.

Conflict of Interest

Where a conflict of interest arises between the Patient and society, the Patient and the Patient’s family, or in similar circumstances, an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall give priority to the Patient’s interests unless doing so would cause direct harm to the Patient or others.

Medical Confidentiality

The Patient has the right to expect that an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP will maintain the confidentiality of all medical and personal information entrusted to them.

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall not disclose, without the permission of the Patient or the Patient’s legal representative, information obtained during examination and treatment, including the fact that the Patient sought medical assistance.

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall take appropriate measures to prevent disclosure of confidential medical information.

The death of a Patient does not release an Employee from the obligation to maintain medical confidentiality.

Disclosure of confidential medical information is permitted only in cases provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Choice of Healthcare Professional

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall not prevent a Patient from choosing to entrust further treatment or care to another specialist.

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP may decline to continue working with a Patient and refer the Patient to another specialist in the following circumstances:

— if the Employee considers themselves insufficiently competent or does not have the technical resources necessary to provide the appropriate type of care;
— if the relevant type of medical or social care conflicts with the specialist’s ethical principles;
— if disagreements arise with the Patient or the Patient’s relatives regarding the treatment or examination plan.

SECTION IV. RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Relationships Between Colleagues

Relationships between Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall be based on mutual respect and trust and shall prioritize the interests of the Patient.

In relationships with colleagues, an Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall be honest, fair, considerate, and respectful. Employees shall respect the knowledge and experience of their colleagues and be prepared to share their own professional experience and knowledge without expectation of personal benefit.

The moral right to supervise other Employees requires a high level of professional competence and ethical integrity.

Criticism of a colleague must be well-founded and respectful. Professional actions, rather than the personality of a colleague, may be subject to criticism.

Attempts to strengthen one’s own professional reputation by discrediting colleagues are unacceptable.

An Employee of ECOMED FIRM LLP shall not make negative statements about colleagues or their work in the presence of Patients or their relatives.

A nurse shall accurately and competently perform medical procedures prescribed by a physician.

A high level of nursing professionalism is an essential ethical foundation for respectful and collegial relationships between nurses and physicians.

Overly familiar or non-professional relationships between physicians and nurses while performing their professional duties are inconsistent with the principles of medical ethics.

If a nurse has doubts about the appropriateness of a physician’s treatment recommendations, the nurse shall first discuss the matter tactfully with the physician. If the concern remains unresolved, the nurse shall refer the matter to higher-level management.

SECTION V. SCOPE OF THE CODE OF ETHICS, LIABILITY FOR VIOLATIONS, AND PROCEDURE FOR REVIEW

Scope of the Code of Ethics

This Code applies within ECOMED FIRM LLP and is binding upon all Employees.

Employee Responsibility

The degree of responsibility for violations of professional ethics shall be determined by the Ethics Commission of ECOMED FIRM LLP.

Where a violation of ethical standards also constitutes a violation of legal requirements, the Employee shall bear responsibility in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Review and Interpretation of the Code of Ethics

The review and interpretation of individual provisions of this Code shall be carried out by the Ethics Commission, taking into account proposals submitted by Employees of ECOMED FIRM LLP.