The Ministry of Health published the results of the inspection, during which serious violations were identified.
National Center for Cardiology and Therapy
Talantbek Sooronbaev, who had held the position of director since February 2022, came under scrutiny at a meeting on January 12, where Health Minister Kanaybek Dosmambetov pointed out corruption schemes in the procurement of medicines and equipment. He also raised questions about Sooronbaev's frequent foreign trips (45 times in two years) and his assets, which are valued at around 2 million dollars.
Talantbek Sooronbaev at the Ministry of Health meeting
The inspection at the center was conducted by Deputy Minister of Health Bakytbek Kadyraliev, who inspected the intensive care unit. He inquired about the availability of an EchoCG machine, which was not accessible to the patient. Staff showed him a device that was located in a locked office. The deputy minister demanded that the machine be turned on and checked its functionality, which caused his dissatisfaction. Kadyraliev emphasized that the machine should be in the intensive care unit.
He also noted the low utilization of angiographic equipment, which should operate around the clock but was only used for two patients in the morning. "We are working very well, noticeably," he remarked ironically.
The deputy minister also pointed out delays in performing coronary angiography, citing a patient who had been in the hospital for nine days. "On the ninth day, we are just starting to think about his condition," he said, highlighting the risk of a heart attack.
Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation
Samidin Shabyraliyev, the director of the Heart Surgery Institute, was appointed to this position in April 2023 but was dismissed in September of the same year at the request of then Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev. He resumed his position in February 2024.
Samidin Shabyraliyev at the Ministry of Health meeting
During this time, a serious fire occurred at the institute, resulting in the deaths of two infants. After this, the institution temporarily relocated to a diagnostic center. President Sadyr Japarov visited the institute and demanded to investigate the causes of the children's deaths after surgeries. One of the identified problems was the lack of modern equipment, as the center only had one outdated ultrasound machine.
During the inspection, Bakytbek Kadyraliev discovered that several medical devices were not in use. Despite this, he was informed that the equipment was non-functional. Kadyraliev noted that infusion pumps and devices for assisting premature infants were on-site.
He inquired about the number of devices and the number of surgeries performed. In response, he was told that only five surgeries had been conducted. "This is necessary. Why aren't you using the equipment?" the deputy minister asked. He was told that there was a separate bed in the diagnostic center for receiving patients.
Kadyraliev instructed to organize and check all available equipment that was not in use. "You are not using this and at the same time requesting funds. Why are these things just gathering dust? They cost millions; this is negligence," he stated.
The deputy minister also met with a woman who had previously contacted the Ministry of Health and asked why citizens had to appeal to the ministry if such issues could be resolved at the institutional level.
Kadyraliev reminded that on May 8, President Sadyr Japarov inspected the work of the institute and ordered the purchase of EchoCG machines. When he asked to see the new equipment, he was told that the presented device was the new one, to which the deputy minister noted that the order was for the purchase of a machine.
According to Kadyraliev, in 2025, the institute was allocated 180 million soms, of which 16 million were returned as unspent. "You could have bought a machine with that 16 million, couldn't you?" he asked.
In response, he was told that the tender had been conducted, but the equipment had not been purchased since May due to a lack of funds. Kadyraliev noted that a machine could have been purchased with those unspent funds since May.
Results
After the inspection, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Health, where a full report was presented. The directors of the two institutions participated, and as a result of the meeting, they resigned from their positions.
