In his comments, he noted:
“As a person holding the position of head of the National Center for Phthisiatry and having over 35 years of experience in this field, I believe it is important to clarify. My conclusions are based on facts, years of practical experience, and strict protocols governing our activities.
The Talas Regional Anti-Tuberculosis Hospital, like our center in Bishkek, does not pose any epidemiological threat to the residents of the surrounding areas. This issue has been thoroughly studied and confirmed by years of practice. I will provide an indisputable fact: since my appointment to the center in 1986, for almost four decades, not a single case of tuberculosis transmission from hospital patients to nearby residents has been recorded.
This is not a coincidence, but the result of strict adherence to all necessary infection control measures that we apply daily. Regardless of the type of waste—whether medical, laboratory, or food—all of it undergoes a mandatory two-level disinfection system. The first treatment is carried out directly in the department using special solutions, after which the waste is sent for secondary processing through a modern septic system.
Additionally, all premises maintain a special ventilation regime, and air disinfection is regularly conducted. These measures completely eliminate the possibility of infection spreading beyond the healthcare facility.
As a specialist, I also want to emphasize that the discussion of the "improper" location of the hospital in the city center is based on outdated and incorrect perceptions. In global practice, institutions dealing with tuberculosis treatment are often located in the central parts of large cities, which is not unusual.
I am familiar with the experiences of colleagues from European and Central Asian countries, where such hospitals are traditionally located in densely populated areas. Modern medicine, including phthisiatry, has moved away from the practice of complete isolation of patients on the outskirts. Today, we apply the strategy of “treatment without separation from society,” which is considered more humane and effective.
However, behind this seemingly technical discussion lies a much more serious social problem.
The discussion of the issue in parliament, unfortunately, reflects the heavy attitude of our society—stigma and discrimination against people facing tuberculosis. Calls for the "relocation" of the hospital essentially mean a desire to "relocate" the patients themselves, to make them invisible, to remove them from public space. This is an outdated and harmful approach that undermines the fight against tuberculosis. Such statements amplify fear and prejudice, causing people with symptoms to avoid seeking medical help for fear of being labeled as "lepers." This leads to late diagnosis, hidden disease spread, and ultimately to a worsening epidemiological situation. The fight against tuberculosis begins not with building fences, but with combating ignorance and prejudice.
In conclusion, I would like to reiterate on behalf of the National Center for Phthisiatry: anti-tuberculosis institutions in Kyrgyzstan are safe for the population, their activities comply with all national and international standards, and their location in cities is a widely accepted global practice.”
