In Kyrgyzstan, oncologists express deep concern over the increasing number of cases where parents refuse medical treatment for their children suffering from cancer. According to them, this leads to higher mortality rates and worsened prognoses. This information was announced at the Institute of Akikatchy as a result of monitoring conducted in the pediatric oncology and hematology department of the National Center for Oncology and Hematology (NCOMH) in Bishkek.
According to medical professionals, the main factors contributing to the refusal of treatment are distrust of medical institutions.
"A lack of trust in medicine, financial constraints, and turning to mullahs or folk healers for religious reasons — these are what influence parents' decisions. In one case, after remission, a child with leukemia was switched to alternative treatment methods, and a year later, the disease reemerged, ultimately leading to a tragic death," the doctors reported.
In light of these events, human rights defenders emphasize the importance of working with families who refuse treatment and call for increased levels of social and psychological support for parents of children suffering from cancer.It is worth noting that in 2025, staff from the Institute of Akikatchy conducted monitoring in two oncology clinics in Bishkek, where they studied treatment conditions, communicated with doctors and patients, and identified systemic issues in the provision of oncological care.
Based on the analysis, the Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jamilya Jamambaeva, prepared recommendations for the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacia" to address the identified violations.
The Ombudsman proposed to develop and implement a new state strategy for the control and prevention of oncological diseases, as well as a comprehensive plan to combat oncology for the period from 2025 to 2030.
