Doctor Arrested for Extortion at Bishkek Oncology Center
On January 29, 2025, in Bishkek, a shocking case of systematic extortion by a doctor at the National Center of Oncology and Hematology has been uncovered. The State Committee for National Security of the Kyrgyz Republic (SCNS) reported that security services detained the doctor after receiving complaints from citizens about extortion at the center.
Following a court ruling, a search was conducted in the doctor’s office, where authorities found 119,000 soms and $100 believed to have been received from patients. Additionally, video surveillance footage provided evidence of the doctor extorting money from patients.
It was revealed that the 36-year-old doctor, identified as S.M.P., had been receiving payments ranging from 2,000 to 22,000 soms from patients for surgeries and medical services that should have been provided free of charge to cancer patients. The doctor has been placed in the pre-trial detention center of the SCNS, while efforts are underway to identify others involved in this criminal activity.
This case has raised concerns about the integrity and ethics of medical professionals in Kyrgyzstan, as patients should be able to trust that they are receiving necessary treatment without facing extortion. The authorities are working diligently to address this issue and ensure the safety and well-being of patients in the country.
