Kyrgyzstan Explores Offering Kidney Transplants for Medical Tourists
Health Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Erkin Checheybaev, recently visited the National Center for Maternal and Child Welfare to inspect the facilities for organ transplant operations. According to the Ministry of Health, Kyrgyzstan has seen a positive increase in kidney transplant operations, with a 36.4 percent rise in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Kidney transplantation is crucial for patients on dialysis, and the development of this area in Kyrgyzstan is essential to reduce the strain on the healthcare system and enhance the quality of life for patients. Minister Erkin Checheybaev emphasized the importance of creating a regulatory framework to ensure sustainable financing and competitive salaries for medical specialists involved in organ transplantation.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health is also considering the potential of offering transplant services to foreign citizens as part of medical tourism, which could provide additional funding for institutions specializing in high-tech medical procedures.
Previously, Minister Checheybaev highlighted the lack of readiness of Kyrgyzstan’s hospitals to perform organ transplant surgeries. While efforts are underway to establish suitable pre and postoperative conditions, as well as to legalize cadaveric donation, more work needs to be done to address these issues.
Overall, the advancements in organ transplant operations in Kyrgyzstan demonstrate a commitment to improving healthcare services and enhancing the country’s medical capabilities for both domestic and international patients.
