“Several consultations were held in both the NCMMH and the National Hospital, where leading specialists gathered to determine what was happening with the patient. However, even with modern equipment and extensive experience, it was extremely difficult to ascertain the true cause due to numerous factors, including high risks of thrombosis. The presence of nephrotic syndrome and a history of COVID-19 exacerbated the situation. We are witnessing how common childhood diseases are becoming extremely complicated and going out of control,” she explained.
Bariktabasova also added that even ordinary ailments can lead to complications requiring extreme measures, such as amputation. She emphasized that the public often perceives doctors as guilty if they fail to save a patient, leading to misunderstandings. “A doctor is not a god, and we must explain to the public that medicine does not always have a solution,” she said.
Furthermore, Bariktabasova noted that there are forces that exacerbate the conflict and fuel public discontent towards medical workers. “This leads to violations of procedural norms, and we see how this ends. Article 146 is not a serious charge, and excessive measures should not be applied to doctors,” she believes.
The union leader also emphasized that doctors are deprived of the opportunity to appeal their cases in courts due to gaps in legislation. “We, along with lawyers, have identified this problem and will appeal to the Constitutional Court to ensure doctors' right to defense and fair trial. Legal proceedings ignore international data on complex diseases, and doctors are being asked to do the impossible,” Bariktabasova added.
“It is frightening that expert evaluations and commissions are ignored,” she noted.Bariktabasova also believes it is necessary to work on the issues of medical workers' responsibility in each specific case with lawyers and legal experts. She promised to make efforts to eliminate legal gaps and protect doctors.
It is worth reminding that on February 18, a Doctor of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor Nasira Beishebayeva was detained in Bishkek. According to the Bishkek City Police Department, the mother of a patient who was treated in 2024 filed a complaint about a medical error that led to the amputation of her right leg.
Based on this, a criminal case was initiated under part 2 of Article 146 “Improper performance of professional duties by a medical or pharmaceutical worker, resulting in serious harm through negligence” of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. The doctor was detained and placed in a temporary detention facility.
The staff of the NCMMH appealed on social media to the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, requesting a fair investigation of the case and suggested considering alternative measures of restraint for Beishebayeva that do not involve imprisonment.
Health Minister Kanibek Dosmambetov emphasized the importance of a thorough and impartial examination of all circumstances of the case.
The NCMMH also explained how they treated the girl prior to the amputation.
Photo on the main page: akipress.org.
