SCO Health Ministers Meeting: Kyrgyzstan Pushes for Research and Knowledge Exchange

At the 9th Meeting of Health Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Kyrgyzstan's Health Minister Damir Osmonov actively championed enhanced regional cooperation and knowledge exchange to elevate healthcare standards across member nations.

“

The discussions focused on key issues in healthcare system development, strengthening regional and international cooperation, and implementing joint initiatives aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of medical services.

Minister Osmonov engaged in a series of bilateral discussions with health officials from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Belarus, India, and Iran. These crucial meetings, alongside consultations with representatives from the World Health Organization and the SCO Secretariat, focused on critical areas of healthcare system development. The agenda encompassed vital issues such as the digitalization of health services, the strengthening of primary care, the professional development of medical personnel, and the optimization of mandatory health insurance frameworks.

Kyrgyzstan specifically pushed for greater collaboration in scientific research and the sharing of best practices among medical institutions. The nation expressed keen interest in implementing joint educational programs, facilitating specialist training, and adopting advanced healthcare management techniques. This proactive stance underscores Kyrgyzstan's commitment to leveraging collective expertise to address shared health challenges, from infectious diseases to non-communicable conditions like cancer and cardiovascular ailments.

“

Special attention was paid to cooperation in oncology, cardiac surgery, transplantology, laboratory diagnostics, immunization, maternal and child health, and combating both infectious and non-communicable diseases.

Furthermore, the discussions highlighted Kyrgyzstan's desire to broaden access to high-tech medical treatments for its citizens abroad and explore joint ventures in telemedicine, pharmaceuticals, and medical technologies. The overarching goal, as articulated by the Kyrgyz delegation, is to bolster public health through strengthened partnerships and the development of innovative collaborative mechanisms. This initiative reflects a national aspiration to not only improve domestic healthcare but also to play a constructive role in the broader regional health landscape.

“

The Kyrgyz side also expressed interest in expanding joint scientific research, promoting experience exchange among medical institutions, implementing educational programs and specialist training, and introducing advanced management practices in healthcare.