“The equipment is idle, mortality is rising”
During the meeting, violations identified at the NCC and TI regarding the organization of emergency care for patients with cardiovascular diseases were discussed. In particular, the issues of idle angiographic equipment and delays in performing coronary angiographies were addressed, as well as the lack of round-the-clock availability of echocardiography in the intensive care unit. The shortage of interdisciplinary consultations and ineffective routing of patients with acute coronary syndrome were also criticized, despite the technical capability for primary PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention).
The issue of thrombolysis in the presence of angiographers was also discussed. According to international standards, thrombolysis is not used in institutions with angiographers and round-the-clock staff, as PCI is considered the “gold standard” of treatment. This raised doubts for the minister regarding the appropriateness of the NCC's request for the purchase of thrombolytic drugs worth 28 million soms.
The minister also expressed concern about corruption risks in the procurement process for medical supplies and equipment, pointing to the personal responsibility of the director of the NCC, Talantbek Sooronbaev. He raised questions about the director's frequent foreign trips (45 times in two years) and the origin of his assets, which are valued at around 2 million dollars.
Deficiencies were found in the handling of medical equipment and consumables at the Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation. The equipment for cardiac surgery, located in the main building where a fire previously occurred, was poorly protected and covered in construction dust, raising doubts about its operability. The instruction from the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, S.N. Japarov, to further equip the intensive care unit with ultrasound and echo machines also remains unfulfilled, despite allocated funds.
The minister noted that there has been an increase in cases where patients operated on by the director of the Institute, Samidin Shabyraliev, are turning to private clinics with complications.
The meeting also discussed the systemic problem of interaction between the two centers: patients with acute coronary syndrome receive assistance with delays, while angiographers remain idle. The minister emphasized that effective routing is possible through direct connection between institutions, and the duplication of cardiac surgery at the NCC is economically unfeasible considering the profile of the Institute and the existing infrastructural capabilities.
“When the equipment is idle, processes are disorganized, and mortality is rising - this is not a question of technology, but of attitude towards the work. And this is on your conscience,” the minister noted.
As a result of the meeting, the minister instructed to promptly equip the Institute with the necessary equipment, and the NCC to ensure round-the-clock echocardiography in intensive care units and strictly adhere to clinical protocols when using angiographers, avoiding unjustified use of thrombolysis.
The leaders of both institutions decided to voluntarily resign due to the identified violations and their non-compliance with their positions. The minister stated that candidates for leadership positions would include young but experienced specialists, including those with significant experience abroad.
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