As a result, parents of children with disabilities are appealing to local authorities for the construction of such a center in the area.
According to information, there are 3,150 children with disabilities under the age of 18 in the Batken region, of which more than 600 live in the Batken district.
Jumagul Eralieva, one of the residents of the district, shared that she cannot enroll her 9-year-old daughter in either school or kindergarten. The girl suffers from autism and requires constant care, as she cannot move independently.
“We couldn’t send her to kindergarten, and she doesn’t go to school either. When I bring her, they say it’s difficult to take care of her; one person needs to be with her at all times. I took her to a specialized center, but it is overcrowded. Traveling to Osh or Bishkek is difficult — either the conditions are unsuitable, or there’s something else,” she shares.
Due to the lack of a rehabilitation center, parents of children who cannot enroll their kids in educational institutions gathered and appealed to the authorities for help.
“The rehabilitation of children is being overlooked. Not only medical treatment is necessary, but also visits to a development center. Due to the absence of a specialized center, we are forced to travel to Osh or Bishkek. Moreover, there are no discounts on airfare. A round trip with a child costs about 20,000 soms, while the allowance is only 16,000–18,000 soms. Therefore, we ask for the construction of such centers here,” said Guljamal Abdieva from the village of Kara-Bak.
Specialized rehabilitation centers for children with disabilities in the Batken district are extremely insufficient. The children's development center "Nur" has a capacity for 20 children, but currently, there are 32 children there. According to the administration, at full capacity, there may not be enough places for everyone.
Many families cannot afford to take their children to Osh or Bishkek due to distance or financial constraints. In the Batken district, 657 children with disabilities under the age of 18 are registered, while overall in the region, 3,150 children need such assistance. There are only three development centers operating in the region.
Local authorities reported that there are plans to open a rehabilitation center in the village of Kara-Bak in the near future, for which premises have already been allocated. A center is also planned to be opened in the Tört-Gul rural municipality.
