A scientific-practical conference «Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan — Deepening and Expansion of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership» was held in Bishkek.
According to UzDaily.uz, Director of the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Studies, Doctor of Economic Sciences Umid Abidkhadzhaev proposed to consider issues of interaction between the countries in the development of tourism, science, education and digital economy. He suggested the development of medical tourism as one of the promising areas. It was noted that diseases of respiratory and digestive systems are the most common among the population of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Both republics have regions with unique natural resources that contribute to recovery. There are karst caves in the vicinity of Issyk-Kul lake in Kyrgyzstan, used for speleotherapy, which has a positive effect on the respiratory system. In addition, treatment with therapeutic mud improves intestinal motility and eliminates inflammatory processes. In Uzbekistan, the districts of Zaamin and Aktash specialize in the treatment of respiratory diseases, and there are water springs treating gastrointestinal diseases in Namangan and Surkhandarya.
Umid Abidkhadzhaev emphasized that the arrival of foreign patients to receive medical services is not only a source of income for local medical institutions and specialists, but also additional opportunities for related industries such as hotel business, restaurants, transportation and other services. He suggested focusing on these opportunities and developing specific regional master plans with a focus on medical tourism.
As an example, he cited the Japanese city of Obu, which is focused on the wellness industry. The Wellness Valley is located there, which is home to numerous medical, health and social care related institutions. They include the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, and Aichi Health Plaza, which offers accommodation and has a fitness room and other sports facilities.