Violations and High Mortality. The Ministry of Health Criticized and Dismissed Two Directors of Cardiology Services. Video
The Ministry of Health announced the results of the inspection, during which a number of serious violations were identified.
National Center for Cardiology and Therapy
Until recently, the director of the Center was Talantbek Sooronbaev, who had headed the institution since February 2022. At a meeting on January 12, Health Minister Kanybek Dosmambetov pointed out cases of corruption related to the procurement of medications and medical equipment. He also questioned the necessity of Sooronbaev's frequent trips abroad, which totaled 45 over two years, and inquired about the origin of his assets, valued at approximately 2 million dollars.
The inspection was conducted by Deputy Health Minister Bakytbek Kadyraliev, who visited the intensive care unit of the center. He asked questions about the absence of the EchoCG machine near the patients and its last use. Center staff indicated that the equipment was in another room and was locked. This caused dissatisfaction from Kadyraliev, who insisted on the immediate activation of the machine. Ultimately, the device was activated on-site.
“It is intended for mobile use, including resuscitation,” Kadyraliev noted, addressing Sooronbaev: “The machine must be on-site from today and not locked away.”
Additionally, the deputy minister checked the angiographic equipment, which is supposed to operate around the clock but was actually used very rarely. “In the morning, only two patients, while the load should be for a million people. We are clearly not coping,” he added.
Kadyraliev also noted delays in conducting coronary angiographies: one patient had been in the hospital for nine days. “He has ischemic heart disease, and we are just now starting to act. During this time, he could have had a heart attack,” he emphasized, pointing out the inaction and the fact that two angiographs were idle, jeopardizing patient health.
Scientific Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation
Samidin Shabyraliev, who was appointed director of the Heart Surgery Research Institute in April 2023, was dismissed from his position in September of the same year at the request of Health Minister Alymkadir Beishenaliev. Later, in February 2024, he returned to this position.
During this period, a tragic fire occurred at the institute, resulting in the deaths of two infants. After that, the institution temporarily moved to the diagnostic center building. President Sadyr Japarov visited the institute and instructed to investigate the circumstances of the children's deaths after surgeries. One of the key issues was the lack of modern equipment: only one outdated ultrasound machine was used in the emergency department.
Bakytbek Kadyraliev also inspected the institute and found numerous medical devices that were not in use. In response to his questions, he was informed that the equipment was malfunctioning; however, the deputy minister noted the presence of infusion pumps and other devices for assisting premature infants.
He inquired about the number of devices for premature infants and the number of surgeries performed, to which he was told that only five surgeries had been carried out. “Why are you not using the equipment as intended?” Kadyraliev asked. In response, he was informed that there was a separate bed in the diagnostic center where patients are currently being admitted.
Kadyraliev ordered that all unused equipment and instruments be put in order. “You are not using this equipment, yet you are asking for money. Why is it just gathering dust? These are necessary items worth millions — this is negligence,” he stated.
The deputy minister also met with a citizen who had previously approached the Ministry of Health for assistance and asked why citizens should turn to the ministry if such issues could be resolved at the institutional level.
Kadyraliev reminded of the inspection conducted by President Sadyr Japarov on May 8, who instructed to purchase EchoCG machines. The deputy minister requested to see the new equipment, but he was told that this device was indeed the new one. “But the instruction was to purchase a new machine,” he noted.
Additionally, Kadyraliev reported that the institute was allocated 180 million soms in 2025, but 16 million of that amount was returned as unspent. “You could have bought a machine with that 16 million, couldn't you?” he asked. In response, he was told that a tender had been conducted, but there had been no purchases since May due to a lack of funds. The deputy minister pointed out that unspent funds could have been used to purchase equipment since May.
Conclusion
As a result of the inspection, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Health, where complete information was presented. As a result, the directors of the two institutions resigned from their positions.
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