The Scientific Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation (NIIHSiTO) has been operating under limited conditions for over a year following a fire that occurred in February 2025. Temporary departments were organized at the Republican Diagnostic Center and the National Hospital. Major repairs are nearing completion in the institute's original building, and staff are preparing to return.
Major Repairs: Completion on the Horizon
The tender for the repair work was announced in June 2025, with over 107 million soms allocated for it. Work began in July.
During the repairs, heating systems and plumbing communications were updated, new electrical wiring was installed, and tiles were replaced in sanitary facilities and laboratories. New window units and doors were installed, as well as a fire alarm system.
Work was carried out on all floors except the second, which suffered the least damage. Plans are in place to polish the old marble stairwells, creating a contrast with the newly renovated white corridors.
A computed tomography scanner will be installed on the basement floor, and two angiographs will be placed on the first floor. The third floor will be designated for the adult cardiac surgery department, where patients will stay before and after surgeries. The fourth floor will house intensive care units and an express laboratory, while the operating block will be located on the fifth floor.
The medical facility has already undergone initial cleaning. After all surfaces have been treated with disinfectants and the wards have been quartz-sterilized, the sanitary and epidemiological station will conduct an infection control check. The sterility study will take several days, after which the institute will be able to accept patients again. According to preliminary estimates, the relocation is planned for the end of next week, although the deadlines have already been postponed several times.
The Cabinet of Ministers allocated nearly 256 million soms to NIIHSiTO for new medical equipment. According to the new director of the institute, Jalil Sheishenov, over 70% of the equipment is already ready for delivery. As soon as permission is received from the sanitary and epidemiological station, the delivery of the equipment will begin.
New Ventilation and Equipment Systems
Jalil Sheishenov reported that previously ventilation only functioned in the operating block, but now it will be installed on all floors and in the wards.
The updated ventilation system will help prevent infections, especially those transmitted by airborne droplets, and ensure a flow of fresh air.
Climate control has been implemented in the operating room, and laminar flow delivers sterile air through HEPA filters. This creates a clean zone above the operating table, which is critically important for preventing infections.
Previously, there was only one angiograph at NIIHSiTO, which was the cause of the fire. Now plans are in place to install two angiographs, one of which will arrive through a Japanese grant in the fall of 2026. The Japanese side will also assist with the purchase of a computed tomography scanner, which was previously absent in the institute.
Challenges in Cardiac Care: Shortage of Specialists
In Kyrgyzstan, more than 2,000 children are born each year with congenital heart defects, and nearly half of them die before their first birthday without receiving the necessary help.
The causes of such defects may include parental health, environmental factors, and the quality of nutrition.
Every year, more than 16,000 people in Kyrgyzstan die from cardiovascular diseases—this is twice the global average.
NIIHSiTO is the only specialized institution in the country where heart surgeries for various congenital defects are performed.
In 2025, according to Jalil Sheishenov, the number of surgeries decreased to 400 due to the relocation after the fire.
In 2026, it is planned to increase this number to 800-1,000.
In February, more than 50 open-heart surgeries were performed. Institute specialists also conducted consultations in maternity hospitals and perinatal centers. The focus is on modern treatment methods, including surgeries for newborns with severe cardiovascular diseases.
“The state of the cardiac surgery service in Kyrgyzstan, especially for children, requires improvement. Given the high demand, it is necessary to develop this area not only in our institute but also in regions such as the Osh Children's Regional Hospital,” noted the director of NIIHSiTO.
According to him, “pediatric cardiac surgery requires a multidisciplinary approach.” Unfortunately, there is a shortage of pediatric cardiologists in the country, both in the regions and in Bishkek. A national program and collaboration with foreign colleagues can help expedite the resolution of this issue. With adequate government support, the cardiac surgery service can be significantly improved within three to five years,” added Jalil Sheishenov.
The institute is actively working on improving staff qualifications. Surgeons and anesthesiologists have undergone training in South Korea, and recently two specialists returned from Uzbekistan after upgrading their qualifications.
A memorandum is planned to be signed with foreign specialists working in the field of pediatric cardiac surgery, including colleagues from Belarus.
“It is more effective to invite colleagues to conduct master classes so they can assess our capabilities and realities. However, such events require thorough preparation,” noted Sheishenov.
Thanks to financial autonomy, the training budget may increase. NIIHSiTO is one of 20 state healthcare institutions that will be granted autonomy to expand their powers in management and finance.
Rising Prices for Cardiac Surgery Services
The autonomy of hospitals will lead to an increase in prices for paid services, including surgeries.
According to Jalil Sheishenov, surgeries at NIIHSiTO are divided into six categories based on complexity.
“In neighboring countries, each type of surgery has its own tariff. We have been provided with guidelines for tariff formation from the Ministry of Health. However, our surgeries will be significantly cheaper than in private clinics, which will allow us to increase the budget and direct funds towards the development of the institute and improving the quality of services,” he explained.
Nevertheless, mortality will remain, as we are dealing with complex conditions. In 2025, the mortality rate in the departments of NIIHSiTO was 10-12%.
“You cannot assess the work of a cardiac surgery clinic without considering the patient's condition at the time of admission. For example, how was primary assistance provided in the maternity hospital? Were the necessary medications provided in a timely manner? These factors can determine the success of the surgery in up to 70% of cases,” added Jalil Sheishenov.
Prospects for Organ Transplantation
The name NIIHSiTO implies the possibility of organ transplantation. Previously, kidney transplants were performed at the institute.
“When the institute was established, this was one of the strategic tasks. We have highly qualified specialists, which allows us to develop transplantation,” noted the director. “With the support of the Ministry of Health, we will be able to perform kidney transplants, and in the future, heart transplants as well.”
The heart transplant program is actively developing in neighboring countries, and Jalil Sheishenov himself has worked on this issue in Kazakhstan.
“Unfortunately, we see many patients who need a donor heart. We plan to start with the LVAD program (installation of a mechanical heart until a suitable donor is found). This issue needs to be addressed at the legislative level, considering religious aspects. Donation from deceased individuals will contribute to the development of transplantation,” he concluded.
