The issue of the shortage of medical personnel in the regions of Kyrgyzstan remains relevant. According to the latest data, the country lacks about 23,000 specialists, including doctors, nurses, and paramedics. In particular, the official report indicates a shortage of 6,500 doctors, 8,500 nurses, 3,500 paramedics, and about 2,000 technical staff. The lack of highly qualified doctors in the regions is particularly acute.
What can be done to rectify this situation? How can quality medical care be ensured, especially in the regions? What changes are necessary for patients to feel positive transformations? Akyilbek Usupbaev, the director of the Republican Scientific Center of Urology at the National Hospital, head of the Urology and Andrology Department at KGMA, corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences, and professor, shared his thoughts on this matter in an interview with vb.kg. He possesses deep knowledge of the healthcare system.
Akyilbek Cholponkulovich, why is there still a high level of vacancies in state medical institutions in the regions despite significant salary increases for doctors?
- Despite the salary increases, this does not solve the problem of staff shortages in the regions. For example, in the Talas region, there is still only one urologist working. Financial incentives are unable to attract young specialists because there are no prospects for professional growth and modern equipment. Young doctors strive to master new technologies, such as laparoscopy and laser surgeries, so for them, not only salary but also the opportunity for development is important.
This is quite understandable. In the context of the rapid update of medical knowledge, according to the World Health Organization, information doubles every 73 days. A doctor who has not undergone retraining for more than three years works with outdated methods. To attract specialists to regional medical institutions, they need to be equipped with modern equipment. How can a urologist in the Talas region master new technologies if he only has a scalpel in his hands?
The quality of technical equipment in medical institutions directly affects the attraction of specialists and the level of medical care. Every patient hopes for the high professionalism of doctors and modern service standards, but reality can sometimes be disappointing. For example, in the Naryn region, there is a shortage of more than 140 doctors, more than 20 of whom are missing in the regional hospital. The shortage of staff and equipment leads to increased workloads for medical workers and a growing demand for inpatient care. A similar situation exists in the Talas region, where about 170 specialists are lacking. There is no talk of improving the qualifications of current doctors.
I am not exaggerating; this is the real situation. Although it can be noted that the government is taking steps to improve healthcare, the shortage of qualified personnel in the regions leads to increased costs for treating complications and the need for hospitalizations due to low qualifications. Therefore, to increase economic efficiency, it is necessary not only to raise salaries but also to provide medical institutions with quality modern equipment. This will undoubtedly attract young specialists, and they will go to the regions.
Currently, patients in the regions are not eager to consult local doctors, except in emergencies, preferring to travel to Bishkek. People are aware of new technologies and want to undergo surgeries using laparoscopic and laser devices, despite the fact that, according to the Ministry of Health's order, all minimally invasive surgeries have become paid. A significant portion of the funds from payments goes to the purchase of expensive consumables.
Perhaps we should pay attention to the experience of Uzbekistan, where, thanks to international financial support, peripheral institutions have been equipped with modern equipment. Specialists from major medical centers come to train doctors, implementing new technologies. This year, a continuous professional development system for medical workers has been launched in the country, aimed at ensuring constant knowledge updates for all categories of medical personnel. In my opinion, such a system should be implemented here as well.
Nevertheless, our promising youth is leaving for abroad. Many of my students work in Russia and are satisfied with the conditions and salaries. As a result, we are training specialists for other countries while remaining without personnel.
Professor, you emphasize the importance of quality equipment. How can it be of poor quality?
- I meant a problem that has long troubled Kyrgyz healthcare. During tenders, equipment is often purchased at lower prices, which often means outdated models that quickly break down and are much more difficult to use. Although branded equipment is more expensive, it is more reliable and lasts longer.
I still remember a case with my Spanish friend, a leading urologist in Europe, who came to us to conduct master classes. During an operation, he encountered problems due to poor-quality equipment, and he lacked visibility to successfully complete the procedure. I continued the operation and successfully finished it. Two years ago, we managed to re-equip our urology center with quality equipment. This required a lot of effort on my part, but now we are able to perform surgeries at the level of European standards, although we still lack a surgical robot.
Although, as your colleagues note, the country could afford to buy a surgical robot, but its annual maintenance would cost a significant amount. That's too expensive.
- That is why it is extremely important to start training specialists for servicing medical equipment within the country. Maintenance and consumables can end up costing much more over time than the equipment itself. If we have to purchase consumables from manufacturers, we can train specialists for maintenance ourselves. Previously, masters from "Medtehnika" could work with any equipment, and now we need to revive this practice. Currently, we are forced to pay large sums to company representatives, although these funds could be used for other needs of medical institutions, including purchasing the same robot.
