Austria ready to provide Kyrgyzstan with funds for purchase of medical equipment

Bishkek, Aug. 13, 2021. / Kabar /. Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development of Kyrgyzstan Uluk-Bek Bekturganov met with Ambassador of Austria to the Kyrgyz Republic with the residence in Nur-Sultan, Mr. Willy Kempel.

According to the press service of the ministry, during the meeting, the sides discussed issues of cooperation in the field of support of the oncological service and training of medical personnel, as well as raising the skills of medical specialists in Austria.

Bekturganov informed the Austrian side that the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Kyrgyz Republic is pursuing a policy of evidence-based medicine and providing medical care to patients with cancer using modern high-tech medical equipment. At the same time, he stressed that the National Center of Oncology and Hematology is the only institution providing specialized care for cancer patients in Kyrgyzstan. He also noted that 80% of patients receiving special treatment for oncological diseases need radiation therapy, both independently and in terms of combined or complex treatment, as well as treatment using radioisotope therapy at an early stage.

The Austrian side was also informed that 2 linear accelerators were installed in July this year, which allowed the patients to receive treatment using the latest technologies.

In turn, Willy Kempel thanked the Kyrgyz side for the warm welcome and said that Austria is interested in developing bilateral relations in the field of healthcare, medical science, as well as training medical specialists in research centers and clinics in Austria. In addition, the readiness to provide financial means, consisting of a 60% loan, 40% of the grant component for the purchase of medical equipment for the treatment of cancer patients.

The sides agreed on the need to discuss financial issues at the level of government agencies that are responsible for lending.

Thus, following the meeting, the sides reached an agreement to consider the development of a draft document regulating cooperation in this direction.