According to the institute's employees, during a meeting at the Ministry of Health, unfounded and harsh accusations were made against NIIHSTO.
The medical institution stated: "The provided information is not true, and our point of view regarding the expressed claims was not heard." Furthermore, they clarified the situation regarding the accusations:
- "Violations in the handling of medical equipment and consumables have been found at NIIHSTO. The cardiology equipment in the main building, where a fire previously occurred, is stored in inappropriate conditions and is covered with construction dust, raising doubts about its operability." All units of medical equipment that were damaged as a result of the fire on February 11, 2025, underwent technical expertise, which was documented according to established norms. A tender was held to assess technical operability, which was won by individual entrepreneur Makarov, who services medical equipment throughout the country and is the main evaluation center of the state enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacy." The assessment conducted by individual entrepreneur Makarov confirmed that the equipment was unfit for operation due to the accumulation of dust and soot and was subject to write-off. Therefore, the equipment was in a condition unsuitable for use. The decision on the rehabilitation or write-off of the equipment depended on the Ministry of Health. Former Deputy Minister Kaarmanbek Baidavletov instructed to gather all units of equipment in a storage room until a final decision was made. Thus, there was no need to keep the equipment in a state ready for operation.
- "Despite the allocated funds, the order of President Sadyr Japarov to equip the ICU with ultrasound and echo machines has not been fulfilled." This order was completed 100%. The President visited the Republican Diagnostic Center, where NIIHSTO is temporarily located, on May 8, 2025. Over three months of active negotiations with the Cabinet of Ministers, as well as through the appeal of NIIHSTO management to the Chairman of the Cabinet Adylbek Kasymaliev and Minister of Finance Almaz Baketaev, funds were allocated for the purchase of medical equipment amounting to approximately 256 million soms. These funds were credited to the NIIHSTO account on July 30, 2025. After that, they were transferred to the account of the state enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacy" with full technical documentation for state procurement. However, the funds remained inactive for two months not due to the fault of NIIHSTO, but because of delays on the part of the state enterprise "Kyrgyzpharmacy." Thanks to constant reminders and efforts from NIIHSTO management, the equipment was purchased on December 27, 2025, and the allocated funds were successfully utilized. Thus, the president's order to equip the ICU was fulfilled on time. It should be noted that NIIHSTO did not have the authority to independently manage the allocated funds, so the delay was not the fault of the institute, but due to the efforts of the administration, despite the circumstances.
- "The minister mentioned the increase in cases where patients operated on by the director of the institute, Samidin Shabyraliev, returned to private cardiology clinics with complications." This information is a distortion of reality, and it is clear that the minister was misled. Private clinics do not perform surgeries comparable in complexity to those carried out by the cardiologists of NIIHSTO. This slander can be easily refuted by analyzing medical histories, communicating with the patients' parents, and studying statistical reports from NIIHSTO. If the Ministry of Health and the public truly want accurate data, they should exclude the involvement of foreign specialists who performed surgeries for money, as well as consider cases of iatrogenic complications and fatalities that occurred with their participation. For example, there was a public outcry over the deaths of three children from iatrogenic complications caused by surgeons from the USA. Meanwhile, invited surgeon from Belarus Yuri Linnik has established himself as an outstanding specialist, but his successes are attributed to local private surgeons who lack the necessary skills. The state does not regulate private medical tourism in the field of cardiology. Moreover, the cost of surgeries in private clinics involving foreign surgeons significantly exceeds the price of similar interventions in Turkey, India, Uzbekistan, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, and Belarus itself. At NIIHSTO, however, surgeries of any complexity for children under six years old are performed free of charge under the state guarantee program. Social networks are full of revelations, and deceived patients can confirm the truth of the facts. Samidin Esenbekovich does not intend to take revenge on the slanderers, considering it beneath his dignity.
- "The meeting raised a systemic problem of lack of interaction between the two institutions: patients with acute coronary syndrome receive assistance with delays, while angiographers are idle, which could be resolved through direct connection between the institutions to organize full routing. In this regard, the minister noted the economic unreasonableness of duplicating cardiology in the NCCIT, given the profile of NIIHSTO and the availability of infrastructural capabilities with proper organization of processes." The conditions that have historically developed, the neglect of the interests of the cardiology service, and insufficient funding for NIIHSTO did not allow for adequate communications to be established, including due to the human factor.
- "The minister emphasized that the absence of clinical protocols in cardiology, idle equipment, and untimely diagnosis negatively affect mortality." In fact, several critically important protocols are in the process of being prepared for submission to the ministry, and dozens of protocols corresponding to international standards aimed at early detection of congenital heart defects, reducing complications, and preventing mortality are being developed.
- "He expressed dissatisfaction with the work of the management of the two institutions and noted: 'When equipment is idle, processes are disorganized, and mortality is rising - this is not a question of technology, but of attitude towards the work. And this is on your conscience.' The director of NIIHSTO agrees with the minister's assessments regarding the weakness of management, but the accusations of the unsuitability of his surgical practice are absurd. Due to the distrust from the management, the director deemed it necessary to submit a resignation letter voluntarily, disagreeing with the public accusations that cast doubt on his professionalism and abilities as a cardiologist. The high level of mastery of Shabyraliev over 40 years of work in pediatric cardiology does not require proof.
- "Following the meeting, the minister instructed to promptly equip NIIHSTO with the necessary medical equipment." However, NIIHSTO does not need additional equipment, as all planned purchases have already been made and will be delivered shortly.
- "The minister noted that candidates for the leadership positions of the centers will include young, but experienced specialists, including those with extensive experience abroad." The entire situation presented, apparently, was pre-planned to implement the interests of a group of young people wishing to occupy leadership positions in NIIHSTO. In this process, existing competitive personnel are ignored without proper assessment of their competencies. It should be noted that the position of the Ministry of Health is aggressive towards those who have long supported NIIHSTO in difficult times.
