The 1st International Forum on Investment in Healthcare in Central Asia is taking place in Kyrgyzstan. The press center of the Ministry of Health reported.
According to it, the two-day event is held under the patronage of the head of state Sadyr Japarov and organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The forum aims to showcase best practices and innovative strategies for healthcare investments that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), for example through public-private partnerships or using digital healthcare tools to improve efficiency.
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, Edil Baisalov, noted that health is the main wealth of every nation, every family and every person.
And therefore the best investment is an investment in healthcare.
Edil Baisalov
According to him, our region of Central Asia is currently experiencing a moment of general growth and a new stage of development.
«As independent countries, we have made significant progress in health care, reducing or eliminating many diseases, reducing child and maternal mortality and increasing life expectancy. Thanks to the leadership of President Sadyr Japarov, government revenues in Kyrgyzstan have increased more than 2.5 times for three years, and we are seeing average GDP growth of 8 percent. Today we are going to radically update the entire infrastructure, have doubled spending on healthcare and next week we will announce further steps to expand government support in this area,» the official said.
Central Asia has made significant progress in health care in recent years, but we still face many challenges.
Minister of Health Alymkadyr Beishenaliev
He emphasized that investments in this sector play a key role in improving the availability and quality of healthcare services, introducing innovative technologies and training personnel, contributing to the sustainable development of our societies.
«Today, the global community and healthcare systems are faced with new challenges and threats; we are in a constant crisis, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. In this fight, coordinated interaction at the global level, which is ensured by the World Health Organization along with other development partners, is becoming increasingly important,» Alymkadyr Beishenaliev said.
WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge indicated the reason why the forum participants gathered here, in the very heart of Central Asia. «While the rest of the WHO European Region is rapidly aging, this region has a significant number of young and educated people — around half the population is under 30 years old,» he said.
This will give Central Asia an advantage in the coming decades, if the potential of its youth is fully realized.
Hans Kluge
Meanwhile, economic growth remains strong, he said.
«The overall GDP is expected to increase by 4.1 percent this year. This is higher than in any other part of the WHO European Region. These two indicators — demographics and economics — give Central Asia a unique opportunity to accelerate its development, invest in key sectors including healthcare, and ultimately improve the lives of millions of people in this beautiful, diverse region,» the WHO Regional Director for Europe added.
During the two-day forum, participants will explore progressive approaches to expand access to primary health care, combat tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, mitigate climate change, improve emergency preparedness and address high rates of non-communicable diseases.
The ministry said that another goal of the event was to establish new partnerships and commitments to invest in health infrastructure and innovation, forming a future in which health is recognized as the foundation of prosperity and stability in Central Asia.
