Wide, bright halls, modern equipment, comfortable wards and friendly medical staff... Kyrgyzstanis have been waiting for the hospital of this level for almost five years. The Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship Hospital in Bishkek has finally started admitting patients and several complex surgeries have been already performed there.
New life
Cholpon Kasymova suffered from a heart disease for five years. She was on the waiting list for free treatment in Turkey for 12 months.
«In the summer of 2020, I underwent medical examination again, doctors said that the problem was very serious. I needed a combined operation. I had no financial opportunity for treatment abroad, and luckily for me, this clinic was opened. On November 11, I was operated on, my heart valve was replaced, now I have, one might say, a new heart, as if it was my second birth. There are ideal conditions for patients, everything is provided to the smallest detail,» the 59-year-old patient told 24.kg news agency.
Assistance gets closer
According to the National Center of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Kyrgyzstan is among the top five countries in the Eurasian region, where cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of death in the age group under 64, and in the top ten countries in terms of mortality from coronary heart disease. As for mortality from cerebral strokes, the republic takes a leading position in the world.
According to statistics, CVDs occupy the first place in the structure of causes of general mortality of the population in Kyrgyzstan, accounting for almost half of all deaths annually. These diseases are also the leading cause of premature loss of labor capacity and disability.
The Kyrgyz-Turkish hospital specializes in cardiology. There are plans to fully launch the departments of gastroenterology and general surgery. The medical facility also provides emergency medical care to patients with cardiovascular diseases through the ambulance service.
«We perform high-tech operations that were not usually performed in Kyrgyzstan. We are making the life of the citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic easier. Some of them had to go abroad for treatment, and now they can contact us,» the Head Physician of the hospital, Özgür Çelebi, stressed.
In addition, the hospital has a polyclinic where everyone can be diagnosed. If there are indications for surgery, the patient is hospitalized.
Transplantation is also planned
There are 72 beds in the hospital, 21 of them are in intensive care unit. There is an angiograph, computed and magnetic resonance imaging, mammograph, X-ray, a gastroscope, echocardiograph, modern laboratory.
The list and cost of the hospital’s medical services have been developed and approved by the Antimonopoly Committee. Discounts are provided for patients from vulnerable segments of the population subject to the availability of appropriate documents. Medical services are also provided to foreign citizens.
Another area, in which the Kyrgyz-Turkish Friendship Hospital may provide services in the future, is organ transplantation.
The Health Minister of Kyrgyzstan Alymkadyr Beishenaliev said that the cost of a transplant surgery in the hospital would be several times lower than abroad. «I think, from $ 3,000 to $ 10,000, depending on the patient’s condition. It costs up to $ 25,000-30,000 abroad. Previously, patients traveled to Turkey, Russia and other countries. Operations will become more affordable,» he shared his plans.
However, this issue has not yet been finally resolved. «Organ transplantation does not end with an operation. This is a complex issue, starting from examination and selection of a donor to postoperative rehabilitation. Therefore, it is very important to carry out thorough preparatory work, to select specialists for the long-term rehabilitation of patients with transplanted organs. This is not a quick issue, it requires legal settlement. Negotiations with the Ministry of Health are underway,» the hospital representative explained.
Employment on competitive basis
Under the agreement, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey will jointly run the hospital for three years.
At least 53 specialists came to the republic from Turkey. Only 24 are from Kyrgyzstan, but the recruitment is not over yet. The examination commission conducts an interview every Friday.
Interventional cardiologist Myrzabek Zhalilov had worked for five years at the National Center of Heart Surgery. When the competition was announced, he sent his CV. He has been working in the hospital for the second month.
«The level here is, of course, different. There are very good conditions, the equipment is new, the prices are affordable for patients,» the young doctor shared his impressions with 24.kg news agency. «What is good — the patient comes and we can immediately hospitalize him or her — there are no problems with beds. As soon as we do coronary angiography, we can discharge on the same day. Patient can stay for up to a week in other state hospitals (firstly, there are queues, and secondly, the treatment system is outdated). It is better to perform an accurate diagnosis right away and solve the problem.»
Specialists from other countries are also carefully selected. Veysel Başar, for example, actively worked in a state clinic in Istanbul, has a work experience of 18 years. He decided to come to provide all possible help.
«All the doctors represent the image of Turkey, so the state is trying to send only experienced professionals to Kyrgyzstan,» Rakhman Azhikulov told.
