Despite the fact that appointments are supposed to end at noon, Kulambaeva continues to work until 2 PM, as patients with high fever and cough are coming to her. Some children are admitted with convulsions due to fever. During her morning shift, the doctor has already sent two patients for additional examination, both of whom were diagnosed with pneumonia.
Workload Issues and Complications
The workload on doctors is currently nearly three times higher than normal: instead of 12-14 patients a day, they are seeing 35-40. Due to the shortage of staff, patients are forced to wait a long time for their turn, and doctors remain at work even after their shifts end."We have no other choice. The flow of patients does not cease," note the capital's medical professionals.Doctors are also concerned about the rise in complications, especially pneumonia. According to them, the number of severe cases has increased in recent weeks, and many patients have to be sent to hospitals, while others are monitored on an outpatient basis.
Extended Working Hours of Medical Institutions
Against the backdrop of the deteriorating epidemiological situation, family medicine centers have extended their working hours. They are now open until 8 PM on weekdays and operate on weekends: on Saturday from 8 AM to 6 PM, and on Sunday from 8 AM to 2 PM. Asel Tenizbaeva, the city coordinator and director of Family Medicine Center No. 6, noted that in response to the influx of patients, additional offices have been opened for those who could not make an appointment in advance.Self-Medication Issues and Consequences
"We consult all patients so they can receive the necessary examinations and prescriptions without long waits. It doesn't matter where they are registered; we accept everyone. However, self-medication creates serious problems: many start treating themselves based on advice from acquaintances or information from the internet and come to the doctor already with developed conditions such as laryngotracheitis or pneumonia," says the doctor.Overcrowded Hospitals and the Need for Reprofiling
The most critical situation is observed in children's hospitals. In the third city children's clinical hospital, several departments, including ENT and renal, have been repurposed for patients with ARVI, allowing for the deployment of 55 beds. However, even with the increased number of places, they fill up instantly. To ensure the necessary number of doctors on duty in the infectious disease hospital and children's wards, additional specialists are being sent. Ambulances are also operating in a state of heightened readiness, noting an increase in calls and the need for urgent hospitalizations.Recommendations for City Residents
Medical professionals urge residents of the capital to limit participation in mass events and to see a doctor at the first signs of illness. In family settings, the infection spreads quickly: if one child falls ill, the likelihood of the others getting infected is extremely high, and the illness can be transmitted from parents to children. If a child has a high fever and is feeling worse, they should not be sent to school or kindergarten — this is dangerous for both them and those around them. Tenizbaeva reminds that patients can contact family doctors, call a doctor to their home, or receive online consultations.Statistics Indicate a Peak in Illness
According to the Ministry of Health, from November 17 to 23, 13,054 cases of ARVI and influenza were registered in Kyrgyzstan. Laboratory tests show the presence of not only seasonal viruses but also COVID-19, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, RSV, and other pathogens. This indicates that, although it is a seasonal phenomenon, the republic is experiencing a peak in illness, and the burden on the healthcare system remains extremely high.
