An investigation is underway into a criminal case regarding corruption involving the director of the "Eye Microsurgery" hospital, Almazbek Ismankulov, and several officials from the Kyrgyz National University named after J. Balasagyn, as well as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. The case concerns the unlawful acquisition and appropriation of medical equipment that was supplied to the country through foreign technical loans.
The LLC "Medical Center of KGNU 'InterHospital'", headed by Ismankulov, was established in 1997 to improve medical education in Kyrgyzstan.
In 1998, a contract was signed between the Korean company "Medison Co. LTD" and the university's vice-rector A. Ismankulov for the supply of medical equipment to the country.
Subsequently, through a corrupt scheme involving a forged meeting of the founders of "InterHospital", the state’s share in the university was transferred to private hands.
From 1999 to 2000, medical equipment worth over 9 million US dollars was delivered to Kyrgyzstan. However, according to Ismankulov's scheme involving some officials from KGNU, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Education, this equipment was illegally distributed and transferred to private clinics owned by Ismankulov. Meanwhile, the debt for the loan to purchase the equipment has still not been repaid, and according to a court ruling, the state is responsible for its repayment. As of 2025, the debt amounts to 31 million US dollars.
As a result of operational-search activities conducted by the Main Department for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ismankulov was detained on suspicion of corruption under Article 336 of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan.
The First May District Court of Bishkek has decided to place Ismankulov in custody.
Currently, additional investigative actions are ongoing to identify all those involved in this case.
