Public health - The Times Of Central Asia

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Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity Rising in Tajikistan and Across Central Asia, Report Warns

The number of overweight and obese children in Tajikistan is increasing, raising concerns among international researchers who warn that the trend could lead to serious health problems at an early age and requires urgent preventive action. According to the World Obesity Atlas 2026, around 12,000 children aged 5-9 in Tajikistan are overweight or obese. Among adolescents aged 10-19, the figure is estimated at approximately 20,000. Researchers note that the consequences of an elevated body mass index can emerge early in life. Among affected children and adolescents, about 2,000 are estimated to show signs of hypertension, roughly 1,000 may have elevated blood glucose levels, around 3,000 may experience high triglyceride levels, and approximately 6,000 may suffer from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). These findings indicate that health conditions traditionally associated with adulthood are increasingly being detected among younger age groups. Changing diets and early-life factors Experts identify several factors contributing to rising obesity rates, including dietary habits. On average, children aged 6-10 consume between 50 and 100 milliliters of sweetened beverages daily, increasing the risk of excessive weight gain. Early childhood nutrition also plays an important role. The rate of incomplete breastfeeding among infants aged 1-5 months reaches 71.3%, which researchers suggest may raise the likelihood of obesity later in life. Maternal health is another significant factor. The report estimates that around 23% of women aged 15-49 in Tajikistan are overweight, while the prevalence of diabetes in this group is approximately 1.5%. Experts stress that maternal health and early nutrition have long-term effects on children’s metabolic risks. Regional trends Similar patterns are emerging across Central Asia. The study indicates that Kazakhstan has comparatively higher rates of childhood overweight and obesity, while Uzbekistan also faces a substantial share of affected children. In Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, the situation remains less severe but is gradually worsening, according to researchers. One of the main drivers identified is a shift in dietary patterns. Rising consumption of sugar, sweetened beverages, and ultra-processed foods is associated with urbanization, lifestyle changes, and increased availability of high-calorie products. Regional governments have begun to respond. As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, authorities in Kyrgyzstan recently approved higher excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, including products marketed to children.

Public health

Kyrgyzstan’s Health Ministry Proposes Higher Taxes on Sugary Drinks and Salty Foods to Protect Public Health

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Health has proposed reforms to the country’s excise tax system targeting sugar-sweetened beverages and foods with high salt content in an effort to reduce their consumption and improve public health. The proposal was discussed on March 9 at a meeting involving representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, the Ministry of Finance, the State Tax Service, the Ministry of Agriculture, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and leading business associations. Currently, Kyrgyzstan applies a uniform excise tax of 3 soms (about $0.03) per liter on sugar-sweetened non-alcoholic beverages, regardless of their sugar content. The Ministry of Health proposes introducing a differentiated excise tax system in which the rate would depend on the amount of sugar in a beverage: Up to 5 grams of sugar per 100 ml - 5 soms (about $0.06) per liter 5-8 grams per 100 ml - 7 soms (about $0.08) per liter 8-11 grams per 100 ml - 9 soms (about $0.10) per liter More than 11 grams per 100 ml - 11 soms (about $0.12) per liter Officials say the new structure would encourage manufacturers to reduce sugar content in beverages, promote healthier consumer habits, and decrease consumption of high-sugar products. The ministry also proposes introducing a fixed excise tax of 20 soms (about $0.20) per liter on energy drinks, citing their high levels of sugar and caffeine and the potential health risks they pose, particularly for adolescents. Authorities are also considering similar differentiated taxation for foods with high salt content, including fried and salty snacks such as chips, salted crackers, and similar products. The goal is to discourage excessive consumption of high-salt foods and reduce related health risks. Representatives of the World Health Organization and UNICEF have expressed support for the proposal. WHO representative Alina Altymyshova noted that similar measures are widely used around the world. According to her, 116 countries already apply various forms of taxation or regulation on foods and beverages high in sugar and salt to help prevent noncommunicable diseases and promote healthier diets. She also highlighted numerous international studies demonstrating the negative health impacts of regular consumption of sugary beverages, particularly among children and adolescents. Deputy Health Minister Temirbek Erkinov warned that unhealthy diets are becoming a growing public health challenge in Kyrgyzstan. According to data from the National Statistical Committee for 2023, about 9% of children in Kyrgyzstan, roughly one in eleven, are overweight. Other indicators highlight widespread unhealthy dietary habits: 75% of children aged 6-23 months consume unhealthy foods 78% regularly drink sugary beverages 16% do not consume fruits and vegetables daily More than 84,000 people in Kyrgyzstan are currently registered with diabetes, with the number increasing by 5,000 to 7,000 cases each year. “The issue of nutrition and related diseases is becoming one of the most serious challenges for the public health system,” Erkinov said. Health officials believe measures to reduce the consumption of foods high in sugar and salt should become an important tool in preventing noncommunicable diseases and improving the country’s...

Healthcare regulation

Kazakhstan Moves to Regulate Chinese Medicine Clinics

Amanzhol Altai, a deputy of the Mazhilis, has submitted a formal request to the Ministry of Health proposing tighter oversight of centers operating under labels such as “Eastern medicine,” “Chinese medicine,” “acupuncture,” and “manual therapy.” The central proposal is the creation of an open digital register of such institutions, particularly those involving foreign specialists. According to the deputy, he regularly receives complaints from citizens about the provision of medical services without proper licenses or verified qualifications, the performance of invasive procedures in violation of sanitary standards, the use of unregistered medicines, and misleading advertising that promises to “cure” serious illnesses. Altai also said that some centers operate for only short periods before changing their names or addresses in order to evade oversight. Of particular concern, he noted, are cases in which foreign nationals without confirmed medical education present themselves as doctors. “We are talking about citizens of the People's Republic of China who present themselves as qualified specialists, see patients for several months, and then close the center and leave the country,” the deputy said. In his view, such practices pose a direct threat to patients’ life and health and undermine trust in the healthcare system. At the same time, some services offered under the branding of “traditional Chinese medicine” are classified as medical activities under Kazakh law and therefore require licensing, certified qualifications, and compliance with established regulatory standards. In this context, Altai proposes not only establishing a digital register of these organizations but also issuing official legal clarifications on the status of such services, strengthening interagency control over the circulation of unregistered medicines, and tightening oversight of online advertising for these centers. The Times of Central Asia previously reported on the risks of drug shortages in Kazakhstan amid proposed changes to tax policy.

Tax Reform

Kyrgyzstan Increases Excise Taxes on Alcohol and Sweetened Beverages

The Kyrgyz Cabinet of Ministers has approved a rise in excise tax rates on alcoholic beverages and sugar-containing drinks, including children's juices, as part of a broader phased tax reform strategy According to the State Tax Service (STS), the adjustments are part of a long-term initiative that will continue incrementally through the end of the decade. The excise tax on vodka and spirits has increased from approximately $1.8 to $2.2 per liter, with an additional annual increase of about $0.2 expected in the coming years. Rates for other alcoholic beverages have also been revised: Wine: increased by approximately $0.05 per liter (now around $0.2) Cognac: increased by about $0.4 per liter (now about $1.6) Beer: increased by roughly $0.03 per liter (now approximately $0.2) The tax agency highlighted that the changes are being implemented gradually to mitigate potential inflationary effects on retail prices. Officials stated that the reform has a social dimension, aiming to curb consumption of products deemed harmful to public health. In the first 11 months of last year, Kyrgyzstan collected approximately $228.5 million in excise tax revenues. Of that total, around $55 million came from domestically produced goods, including $38.8 million from alcohol sales. New Tax Introduced on Sugar-Containing Beverages The reform also introduces an excise tax on sugar-containing beverages for the first time, including products previously classified as baby food. Previously, such items were exempt, leading to regulatory loopholes. The STS explained that some manufacturers registered sweetened beverages as baby food to avoid excise duties, creating unfair competition in the market. To close this gap, all sugar-containing beverages, including children’s juices, will now be taxed at a minimum rate of about $0.03 per liter. Given the typically small packaging sizes, authorities estimate the retail price increase per unit will be modest, approximately $0.01. The reform reflects a growing regional trend of leveraging fiscal policy to discourage unhealthy consumption habits while generating revenue for public spending.

Marriage Law

Uzbekistan Proposes Ban on Marriages Between Relatives

Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Justice has drafted legislation that would ban marriages between distant blood relatives, including unions between uncles and nieces, aunts and nephews, and cousins up to the third degree, UzNews.uz reported. The proposed penalties for violating the ban include fines or correctional labor of up to two years. Exceptions would apply only in cases where one of the prospective spouses is an adopted child and no biological relationship exists. Under current law, Uzbekistan’s Family Code prohibits marriages between close blood relatives in a direct ascending or descending line, as well as between full and half-siblings and between adoptive parents and adopted children. The proposal follows alarming findings from a recent study highlighting the genetic risks associated with consanguineous marriages. According to Zamin.uz, researchers from the Center for Advanced Technologies have identified dozens of new genetic mutations in Uzbek individuals. The study revealed that every second child tested carried a hereditary mutation, and nearly 86% of children were found to be carriers of at least one damaged gene, twice the international average. Researchers attribute this trend to the high prevalence of kinship marriages, which in some Uzbek regions account for roughly one-quarter of all unions. Experts warn that these genetic anomalies not only increase the likelihood of hereditary disorders but also elevate the risks of diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer. The study's authors strongly recommend introducing genetic testing for couples prior to marriage as a public health measure.

Public health

Kazakhstan’s Youth Struggle with Access to Sexual Health Information

One in five young people in Kazakhstan lacks access to information about reproductive and sexual health, according to an analysis by Ranking.kz based on a survey conducted by the Youth Research Center. Where Young People Seek Information The study reveals a significant gender disparity: 34.2% of female respondents seek information from medical specialists, compared to only 19.4% of male respondents. Alarmingly, 24.4% of young men report having no information on reproductive health at all, versus 14.9% of young women. The most commonly cited sources of reproductive health information are gynecologists, urologists, and reproductive specialists (26.6%), followed by online resources and articles (17.9%). Family discussions (16.6%), conversations with peers (15.4%), consultations with family doctors (15.3%), social media (14.4%), and printed materials from medical institutions (11.3%) also play a role. Despite these resources, 9.3% of respondents admitted they feel uncomfortable discussing such topics, while 19.8% reported receiving no information at all, underscoring the persistent knowledge gap. Infections and Awareness Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a pressing concern. Only 16.8% of respondents said they are well informed about STIs. A further 36.7% reported partial awareness, 26.9% had only heard vague references, 15.4% were entirely uninformed, and 4.4% found the question difficult to answer. According to the Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan recorded 89.1 cases of STIs per 100,000 population in 2024, down from 96.4 in 2023, but still considered high. The most common infections included chlamydia (13.9 cases per 100,000), trichomoniasis (13.8), syphilis (8.5), and gonorrhea (6). The highest infection rates were recorded in Shymkent (247.7 per 100,000), Almaty (139.3), and Astana (127.1), followed by the Abai (125.9) and North Kazakhstan (118.6) regions. The lowest rates were reported in Zhambyl (24.6), Ulytau (30.7), and West Kazakhstan (31.4). Debate Over Sex Education in Schools When asked about the introduction of sex education in schools, 58.9% of survey respondents supported the idea, citing benefits such as improved understanding of physiology and anatomy, and a reduced risk of unwanted pregnancies and STIs. However, 35.6% opposed such initiatives. Among them, 15% found the topic too “embarrassing,” while 20.6% feared that sex education might encourage early sexual activity among teenagers.