During the briefing, the head of the primary healthcare department of the Ministry of Health, Nurgul Ibraeva, and the acting director of the Republican Center for Psychiatry and Narcology, Zhanibek Azhibekov, discussed the issues of psychiatrist shortages and difficulties in obtaining timely assistance.
According to Nurgul Ibraeva, access to psychiatric care in Kyrgyzstan is uneven, especially in rural areas where there is a significant shortage of personnel. She noted that the situation is more optimistic in cities; however, in remote areas, patients face serious challenges in receiving the necessary help.
Zhanibek Azhibekov added that as of the end of 2025, there are only 136 psychiatrists in the country. In comparison, 15 years ago, their number was about 300, while the number of narcologists reached approximately 50.
“According to calculations, there should be one psychiatrist for every 40,000 residents. However, in areas with a population of around 160,000, there is often only one specialist who performs the functions of both a psychiatrist and a narcologist. This creates a serious burden, as they are required to see patients, write prescriptions, and participate in medical examinations for conscripts. It is evident that there is a personnel shortage. Most specialists are concentrated in large hospitals located in Bishkek, Osh, and Jalal-Abad, as well as in Chym-Korgon and the village of Kyzyl-Zhar, where there is also a lack of doctors,” he noted.
Additionally, Nurgul Ibraeva explained the procedure for obtaining help: in Kyrgyzstan, patients must first contact primary healthcare institutions. The family doctor plays a key role in the system and, if necessary, refers the patient to a specialist, including a psychiatrist.
