The deputy noted that with a population of 1.5 million residents, there are only eight dispatchers taking calls, which is clearly insufficient for the effective functioning of the ambulance service.
In response, the Minister of Health instructed the financial services to consider allocating funds for expanding the staff of the Emergency Medical Center.
“We have already prepared the necessary calculations. Next year, we plan to hire eight more dispatchers. We will also need new equipment, including computers and telephone lines. Additionally, we expect the arrival of new ambulance vehicles, as Bishkek will host the SCO summit and the World Nomad Games in 2026,” added Shayahmetov.
Furthermore, he mentioned that due to a decrease in cases of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, the load on the 103 service has also decreased. Over the past day, 432 calls were registered, and the Center has returned to its normal operating mode.
However, during epidemics, ambulance teams often lack resources, and patients may wait several hours before help arrives. It was previously reported that due to the administrative-territorial reform, which expanded the service area, the existing 42 teams are insufficient to meet the needs of the city.
Considering the population and the new boundaries, the actual need for Bishkek is about 150 teams, which means that currently, less than one-third of the required number is operational.
The situation is exacerbated by a shortage of ambulances, as many of the existing ones are in a state of disrepair and require maintenance, highlighting the need for a complete modernization of the fleet.
