“The equipment is idle, mortality is rising”
During a meeting held at the Ministry of Health under the leadership of Minister Kanybek Dosmambetov, the results of an on-site inspection of the National Center for Cardiology and Therapy named after M. Mirrahimov (NCKiT) and the Scientific Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation (NIIHSiTO) were discussed.
It was revealed during the discussion that there are serious problems in the organization of emergency care for patients with cardiovascular diseases at NCKiT. There were noted downtimes of angiographic equipment, delays in performing coronary angiographies, and the lack of the ability to conduct echocardiography in the intensive care unit around the clock. Ineffective routing and a lack of interdisciplinary consultations negatively affect the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome, despite the availability of technical capabilities for performing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
The issue of applying thrombolysis in conditions where angiographs are available also sparked discussion. According to international standards, thrombolysis is not used in institutions with a 24-hour angiographic service, as PCI is considered the “gold standard” of treatment. In this regard, the minister expressed doubts about the feasibility of NCKiT's request for the purchase of thrombolytic drugs amounting to 28 million soms.
Furthermore, the minister noted suspicions of corruption in the procurement process of medical drugs and equipment, and drew attention to the personal responsibility of NCKiT director Talantbek Sooronbaev. He raised questions about the director's frequent trips abroad (45 trips in two years) and the origin of his property, which is valued at about 2 million dollars.
Violations in the handling of equipment and consumables were identified at NIIHSiTO. The cardiothoracic surgery equipment located in the main building, where a fire had previously occurred, was stored in improper conditions and covered in construction dust, raising doubts about its functionality. The instruction from the President of the Kyrgyz Republic S.N. Japarov to equip the intensive care unit with ultrasound and echocardiography machines remains unfulfilled, despite allocated funds.
The minister also noted an increase in clinical cases where patients operated on by the director of the Institute, Samidin Shabyraliev, returned to private cardiac surgery clinics with complications.
One of the systemic problems discussed at the meeting was the lack of effective interaction between the two centers. Patients with acute coronary syndrome often receive help with delays, while angiographs remain idle. The minister emphasized that creating a direct connection between the institutions could ensure proper routing. In this regard, he pointed out the economic impracticality of duplicating cardiac surgery assistance at NCKiT, considering the profile of NIIHSiTO and the existing infrastructural capabilities with proper organization of processes.
“When the equipment is idle, processes are disorganized, and mortality is rising — this is not a matter of technology, but of attitude towards the job. And this is on your conscience,” the minister stated.
At the end of the meeting, the minister instructed that NIIHSiTO be equipped with the necessary medical equipment as soon as possible. NCKiT must ensure round-the-clock echocardiography in intensive care units and organize the use of angiographs in accordance with clinical protocols, avoiding unjustified thrombolysis.
The leaders of both institutions voluntarily resigned due to the identified violations. The minister noted that candidates for new leaders of the centers will be considered from among young but experienced specialists, including those with significant experience working abroad.
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