Dosmambetov explained that the draft law currently under consideration by deputies was developed in accordance with a presidential decree. This decree confirms the status of the Kyrgyz State Medical Academy (KGMA) as a system-forming state university, endowed with exclusive rights to train specialists with higher medical and pharmaceutical education, as well as to retrain and improve the qualifications of medical personnel.
According to the acting minister, accreditation was previously carried out by the Ministry of Education. "Although I cannot assess the situation, there are private medical universities that do not meet the established requirements but continue their activities. We will begin a new accreditation process, and if they do not meet the standards, they will be closed," he noted.
KGMA will be responsible for ensuring that educational programs comply with both national and international standards, as well as for conducting accreditation, developing practice-oriented training, simulation training, and implementing digital technologies.
The proposed amendments concern the following aspects:
- the law "On the licensing and permitting system" — cancellation of licenses for educational institutions that do not meet the requirements of state accreditation;
- the law "On education" — defining the status and powers of KGMA as a system-forming university;
- the law "On the protection of citizens' health" — expanding the rights of the Ministry of Health in the field of licensing educational activities and training scientific personnel;
- the law "On science" — clarifying the legal status of scientific organizations in the field of health care.
According to the new changes:
- state educational standards for higher professional and additional medical education will be developed by KGMA and equated to state standards;
- control over the educational process and the assessment of the quality of training of medical workers will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Health, not the authorized body in the field of education;
- the charter of the system-forming university will be approved by the founder, and licenses for medical and pharmaceutical educational activities will be issued by the Ministry of Health;
- mandatory state accreditation will be introduced for all educational programs in higher and additional education in the field of health care;
- state educational institutions of higher medical education will be able to conduct financial activities outside the budgetary system;
- heads of universities and research organizations in the field of health care will be appointed by the Ministry of Health;
- internship and residency programs will be implemented by accredited educational institutions and clinical organizations with the awarding of a specialty upon completion of practice.
