She inquired about the number of children with cerebral palsy, autism, and Down syndrome in the country. The Deputy Minister of Health reported that from 2022 to 2024, 431 children with Down syndrome, 1,866 with cerebral palsy, and 271 with autism were registered.
According to the deputy, the official statistics significantly differ from the real situation. Parents of children with mental disabilities are asking for state rehabilitation centers to be created, as the existing institutions are unable to accommodate even 1% of those in need. Private rehabilitation services cost about 3,000 soms per day.
Sadyrbaeva noted: "Parents are asking for such centers to be at least based in regional institutions. They have to move to Bishkek to support their children. The sooner rehabilitation starts, the higher the chance that the child will become a full-fledged member of society."
The deputy also emphasized that no child has received state assistance for dental problems, and treating one tooth can cost up to 50,000 soms. Children with epilepsy also remain without support from the state.Additionally, the deputies raised the issue of the need to increase benefits and prepare specialists to work with such children. "There is a shortage of defectologists, speech therapists, and psychologists. Working with these children is difficult, although relevant faculties exist, no one wants to pursue these specialties. Society heavily stigmatizes such children, which forces parents to hide them, especially in villages, worsening their condition. We need to improve the information policy to help parents accept their children," Sadyrbaeva added.
The Deputy Minister of Health reported that there are eight rehabilitation centers operating in the country, and new centers are planned to be built in Bishkek and Osh in the near future.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Zhibek Duyisheva, clarified that benefits will not be increased this year, but the situation may change next year.
