The former Minister of Health shared the problems faced by cancer patients in the country
Gulnara Baatyrova, a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh and former Minister of Health, presented a report addressing important issues regarding the oncology service in Kyrgyzstan.
She emphasized that to adequately provide radiation therapy in a country with a population of about 7 million people, 20 linear accelerators are needed; however, only three devices are available, which often break down. This leads to delays in treatment and negatively affects patient prognosis.
According to Baatyrova, about 6,000 new cancer cases are registered annually, and approximately 35,000 patients are under observation at dispensaries. Almost 40% of them seek help at stages 3–4 of the disease. Particularly alarming is the fact that most of the patients are individuals aged 35 to 60, who are of working age.
Additionally, the former minister pointed out the lack of modern equipment for molecular genetic and immunohistochemical studies, which forces samples to be sent abroad and significantly slows down the diagnostic process. She stated that about 80% of expensive medications for cancer patients are unavailable, and palliative care in the regions is limited.
Baatyrova also highlighted the need to establish a research institute based at the National Oncology Center to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment.
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