Public health - The Times Of Central Asia

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Air Pollution

Bishkek Residents Can Now Monitor Air Quality in Real Time

Residents of Bishkek can now track air quality in real-time, thanks to a new initiative by Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision in partnership with Kyrgyztelecom OJSC. Cameras have been installed at strategic locations, including Mount Boz-Boltok, south of the capital, and the Sovmin residential complex in the southern part of Bishkek. The live camera feeds, available at online.kt.kg, provide the public with a real-time view of air quality and smog levels in the city. According to the Ministry, the project aims to raise public awareness about Bishkek’s environmental challenges and encourage environmentally responsible behavior among residents. The initiative also serves a broader purpose by creating a database for environmental monitoring and scientific research. Additionally, the availability of real-time footage helps prevent the spread of misinformation, such as the use of outdated video materials to manipulate public opinion. Air pollution remains a serious issue for Bishkek, a city with over one million residents. The problem worsens during winter, as many households rely on coal for heating, significantly increasing harmful emissions. Bishkek regularly ranks among the world’s top 10 most polluted cities on IQAir’s global air quality index. This initiative marks a step toward greater transparency and public engagement in addressing Bishkek’s air quality issues. By providing residents with accessible, real-time data, authorities hope to inspire collective action to combat pollution in the Kyrgyz capital.

Transport

Kazakhstan Expands Invataxi Services with Taxi Aggregator Partnership

Kazakhstan is expanding its efforts to provide accessible transportation for people with disabilities through the Invataxi project, which offers specially adapted minivans for travelers with mobility challenges. In a significant step forward, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population has partnered with a taxi aggregator to enhance and streamline the service, making it more accessible and efficient. As part of a pilot project launched in 2024, people with disabilities in Astana and Almaty used Invataxi services via the Yandex Go mobile application more than 207,000 times. This marks a dramatic increase compared to 2023 when the service was used 53,900 times. The pilot project introduced the use of passenger cars alongside the adapted minivans, significantly broadening the availability of transportation options. Previously, users had to book Invataxi rides by phone at least a day in advance. Now, thanks to Yandex's integration, users can request rides instantly via the mobile app, making the process faster and more convenient. A critical aspect of the pilot was that Yandex waived any commission on payments for these rides, ensuring affordability for passengers. The Yandex Go application includes a special feature that allows passengers with disabilities to notify drivers of any specific requests for the trip. Additionally, drivers have been trained to assist passengers with disabilities in entering and exiting the vehicle, further enhancing the service's accessibility. The pilot project initially operated in Astana and Almaty but will now be expanded to other regions across the country in 2025, as part of the government’s plan to replicate its success nationwide. In parallel with the Invataxi project, Kazakhstan is also investing in other accessible transportation initiatives, including the expansion of its fleet of Invacarriages specially adapted train carriages designed to accommodate people with disabilities. These efforts underscore the country’s commitment to improving mobility and inclusivity for all its citizens.

Healthcare

Kyrgyzstan Gears Toward Self-Sufficiency in Medication

Kyrgyzstan has taken a significant step toward reducing its dependence on imported pharmaceuticals with the launch of domestic medicine production at the Aidan Pharma pharmaceutical plant. The facility has begun manufacturing its first batch of essential medications, including: Paracetamol (suspensions and tablets); Ibuprofen (suspensions); Acetylsalicylic acid (tablets); and Acyclovir (tablets). The plant has the capacity to produce up to 10,000 packages of each of these medicines per day, offering an important boost to the country’s pharmaceutical industry. In late 2023, Aidan Pharma began producing medical ethyl alcohol, which is now supplied to state hospitals and pharmacies. During a visit to the plant on January 10, Health Minister Alymkadyr Beishenaliev announced plans to expand the plant’s product range to 100 items by the end of this year. He also revealed that the company intends to begin exporting its products in the future. “The plant's products meet quality standards and have a low production cost, making them more affordable compared to imported medicines,” Beishenaliev noted. The Kyrgyz government has prioritized reducing the country’s reliance on imported medications. In December 2024, the Cabinet of Ministers approved an investment agreement for a Kyrgyz-Chinese pharmaceutical project led by Standard Pharm Group. This initiative will focus on packaging pharmaceuticals and constructing a new pharmaceutical plant in Kyrgyzstan. The project, which will be implemented in two stages over five years, is expected to attract over $41 million in investment. According to Minister of Economy and Commerce Bakyt Sydykov, the plant will manufacture a range of medicines, including: Nutritional infusions; Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic medications; Analgesics; Hypoglycemic treatments; and Gastrointestinal drugs. Most of these medicines are included in Kyrgyzstan’s List of Vital Medicines, a critical inventory of essential pharmaceuticals that are currently not produced domestically. The development of Kyrgyzstan’s pharmaceutical industry marks a critical shift toward self-sufficiency in healthcare. By expanding domestic production, the government aims to make essential medications more accessible and affordable for its population while fostering economic growth through investment and exports.

Healthcare

Kazakhstan Will Not Impose Quarantine for Metapneumovirus

Aizhan Esmagambetova, head of Kazakhstan's National Center for Public Health, has announced that there is no need for restrictive measures in response to identified cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in the country. Human metapneumovirus is a respiratory tract infection that can cause inflammation in the upper and lower lungs. Although the virus has been circulating among humans since the mid-20th century, it has not previously caused widespread epidemics. Concerns about the virus were raised after foreign media reported an outbreak in neighboring China in late December 2024. The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the spread of acute respiratory infections, including HMPV, but Chinese authorities did not impose border closures similar to those during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Health reported detecting 30 cases of metapneumovirus between October 1, 2024, and early January 2025. The Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control conducted testing on 8,360 non-influenza virus samples during the epidemic season, with 1,866 (22%) returning positive. Of these, metapneumovirus accounted for only 1.6%. Other respiratory infections were more prevalent, including: Rhinovirus: 680 cases (36.4%) Respiratory syncytial (RS) virus: 433 cases (23.2%) Adenovirus: 226 cases (12.1%) Coronavirus: 206 cases (11.1%) Parainfluenza: 178 cases (9.5%) Bocavirus: 113 cases (6.1%) The Ministry of Health stated that HMPV is primarily transmitted via airborne droplets and, to a lesser extent, through household contact. Despite this, Esmagambetova emphasized there is no justification for a quarantine:"The epidemiological situation in the country is stable. While we are in the midst of the epidemic season, a comparison of this year and last year shows a 20% decrease in acute respiratory viral infections (ARVI) for the same period," she explained. "As is typical, morbidity rises in January and declines by mid-February, but there are no grounds for quarantine or other restrictive measures. We are monitoring the epidemic situation, including morbidity and virus circulation, almost daily." Esmagambetova also highlighted that approximately 70% of cases in Kazakhstan occur in children under 14. She advised parents to keep children with signs of respiratory infections at home and avoid sending them to schools or kindergartens. She further recommended that citizens avoid crowded places, wear masks, and ensure proper ventilation. Kazakhstan’s Minister of Education, Gani Beisembayev, stated during a government meeting that the country’s education system is prepared to switch to distance learning if necessary. However, any decision to transition will depend on the Ministry of Health. This update comes after The Times of Central Asia reported outbreaks of seasonal and non-seasonal diseases across Central Asia last year, including influenza, measles, and hepatitis.

Healthcare

Turkmenistan Strengthens Cooperation with IAEA to Equip New Cancer Center

Turkmenistan is deepening its collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to advance nuclear medicine, as announced by Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Chairman of the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council). The announcement came during his visit to the construction site of the new International Scientific and Clinical Center for Oncology in Ashgabat, as reported by the TDH news agency. Berdimuhamedov highlighted the importance of consulting with IAEA experts to ensure the center’s safe operation, particularly in handling radioactive waste. He stressed that equipping the facility with state-of-the-art technology is essential for meeting high standards in cancer treatment. The new center, under construction in the Choganly district in northern Ashgabat, will have a capacity of 500 beds. It will feature specialized departments for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of cancer patients. Berdimuhamedov also emphasized the need to develop highly skilled medical personnel for the center. Medical professionals will be offered training opportunities in leading international clinics and encouraged to collaborate with foreign specialists. The facility aims to build strong partnerships with specialized medical institutions both within Turkmenistan and abroad. “International cooperation, particularly with the IAEA, is vital in the fight against cancer. Strengthening these ties is a key factor in the effective operation of the new center,” Berdimuhamedov stated. The oncology center is set to greatly enhance Turkmenistan’s healthcare system by providing advanced cancer care and contributing to global progress in nuclear medicine and cancer research.

Public Security

Kazakhstan Considers Body Cameras for Ambulance Workers Amid Rising Violence

Kazakhstan’s Health Minister, Akmaral Alnazarova, has announced that her ministry is exploring the possibility of equipping ambulance doctors and paramedics with body-mounted video cameras to address the increasing aggression against medical workers. Over the past four years, more than 150 incidents of attacks on ambulance personnel have been reported in the country. “We are considering equipping our employees with video tags, similar to the devices used by law enforcement agencies. This issue will be regulated normatively, and I believe it is not so difficult to implement,” Alnazarova told reporters during a parliamentary session. Kazakhstani patrol officers have used body-mounted video recorders since 2017 to ensure accountability in law enforcement and to prevent corruption. For ambulance workers, the cameras aim to protect employees and document incidents of violence. According to the Ministry of Health, 158 medical workers were injured while performing their duties between 2019 and 2023. The urgency of this measure was highlighted by a recent incident in the town of Kostanay, where a paramedic was assaulted by relatives of a deceased patient. The assailants, against whom a criminal case has been opened, allegedly obstructed resuscitation efforts. The paramedic suffered a concussion and required hospitalization. Alnazarova previously stated on her Instagram page that her ministry, with the support of lawmakers, has initiated measures to introduce criminal liability for acts of violence against medical workers. “Such crimes must be met with fair punishment, including restrictions on freedom and condemnation by society. We must send a clear message: violence against medical workers is unacceptable and will not go unpunished.”