The former Minister of Health highlighted issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients
Gulnara Baatyrova, a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh and former head of the Ministry of Health, presented a report on the state of oncology services in Kyrgyzstan.
She noted that for the 7 million citizens of the country, 20 linear accelerators are needed for radiation therapy, but there are only three available, and they often break down. This creates delays in treatment and negatively affects patient outcomes.
According to Baatyrova, about 6,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Kyrgyzstan, and approximately 35,000 patients are registered with dispensaries. Notably, around 40% of them present with advanced stages of the disease — stages 3 and 4. It is particularly concerning that most of the patients are of working age, between 35 and 60 years old.
Additionally, the former minister mentioned the lack of modern facilities for molecular genetic and immunohistochemical studies, which forces the need to send samples abroad and slows down the diagnostic process. She also pointed out that about 80% of expensive medications for cancer patients are unavailable, and palliative care is very limited in the regions.
In conclusion, Baatyrova emphasized the importance of establishing a research institute based at the National Oncology Center to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cancer diseases.
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