The Ministry of Health provided information on the progress of the inspection and the violations identified based on it.
National Center for Cardiology and Therapy
Talantbek Sooronbaev, who became the director of the Center in February 2022, came under scrutiny during a meeting on January 12. Health Minister Kanatbek Dosmambetov raised questions about corruption in the procurement of medications and equipment, as well as Sooronbaev's frequent foreign trips (a total of 45 trips over two years) and the origin of his assets, valued at 2 million dollars.
Deputy Health Minister Bakytbek Kadyraliev visited the center as part of the inspection, focusing on the intensive care unit. He inquired about the presence of an EchoCG machine near a patient and its last use. Center staff pointed to a machine that was located in a locked office, which displeased the deputy minister. He insisted on an immediate check, and the device was turned on on the spot.
“The machine should be here permanently, not locked away,” Kadyraliev emphasized, addressing Sooronbaev. The deputy minister also noted that angiographic equipment should operate around the clock, but in practice, it is used inefficiently. “Today there are only two patients, while there should be a load of a million,” he added.
Kadyraliev also pointed out delays in performing coronary angiography, as one patient had already been in the hospital for nine days. “We only start thinking on the ninth day, and during this time he could have a heart attack,” he said, pointing to two idle angiographs that could have helped the patient.
Scientific Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation
Samidin Shabyraliyev, appointed director of the Institute of Heart Surgery in April 2023, was dismissed in September at the recommendation of then-Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev, but later returned to the position in February 2024.
During this time, a tragic fire occurred at the institute, resulting in the deaths of two infants. After the incident, the institution temporarily relocated to the building of the diagnostic center. President Sadyr Japarov visited the institute and instructed to investigate the causes of the children's deaths after surgeries. During the investigation, a problem with the lack of modern equipment was identified: only one outdated ultrasound machine was used at the center.
Deputy Minister Bakytbek Kadyraliev also inspected the Institute and found that many medical devices were idle. In response to his questions about the condition of the equipment, he was informed of its malfunction. However, Kadyraliev noted that infusion pumps and devices for assisting premature infants were available on-site.
He clarified the number of available devices and the operations performed using them, receiving information about five surgeries conducted. “Why aren’t you using this equipment for its intended purpose?” the deputy minister asked. In response, he was pointed to the existence of a separate bed for this in the diagnostic center.
Kadyraliev demanded that all unused equipment be put in order. “Why aren’t you using this? It costs millions, and it’s just gathering dust,” he pointed out.
The deputy minister also spoke with a citizen who had previously approached the Ministry of Health for assistance and asked why citizens are forced to contact the ministry when issues can be resolved at the institutional level.
Kadyraliev reminded that on May 8, President Sadyr Japarov checked the activities of the institute and instructed to purchase EchoCG machines. When the deputy minister asked to see the new equipment, he was informed that the presented device was indeed new. In response, he stated that the instruction was specifically to acquire a new machine.
According to Kadyraliev, in 2025 the institute received 180 million soms, of which 16 million were returned as unspent. “You could have bought a machine with that 16 million, couldn’t you?” he asked.
He was told that the tender had been conducted, but since May, equipment had not been purchased due to a lack of funds. Kadyraliev noted that in May, a machine could have been purchased with the freed-up funds.
Results
Following the inspection, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Health, where complete information was presented. During it, the directors of both institutions submitted their resignations.
