The United Nations Office in Kyrgyzstan, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has launched a program to create a unified digital health system in the country.
The Ministry of Health stated that the digitization initiative aims to harmonize Kyrgyzstan’s healthcare system. By providing easier access to medical information, the program is expected to expedite the delivery of medical services, even to the most remote and underserved communities. As part of this effort, specialists will enhance government e-services and telemedicine.
According to the UN, the project will require an investment of over $4 million, and is scheduled to run until 2027. “One of the key features of the program is to improve the digital health profile, giving citizens access to information about their health,” the Ministry of Health noted in a press release.
The authorities plan to integrate a unified registry of citizen vaccinations, which currently holds approximately 3 million records, with a national electronic medical records platform.
The program will also focus on supporting vulnerable groups. For example:
• 120,000 people will receive digital disability certificates; and
• 280,000 people will gain access to digital sick leave documentation, reducing hospital queues and making medical services faster and more convenient.
Telemedicine will be expanded to 10 districts, offering medical consultations to more than 700,000 children under the age of 14.
Additionally, 60 healthcare facilities will provide specialized care to 140,000 mothers and newborns, all connected to the unified electronic health records (EHR) platform.
“This digital health initiative is an important step forward for Kyrgyzstan. By improving access to important medical information, we can make healthcare more efficient and improve outcomes for all,” said Bakyt Dzhangaziev, Deputy Minister for Digital Development of Kyrgyzstan.
UN Resident Coordinator in Kyrgyzstan Antje Grave added: “Digital technologies are transforming our world, opening up new opportunities. It is necessary to bridge the digital divide between countries, promote the goals of sustainable development, and ensure that no one is left behind.”
The program is being implemented with support from international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the UN Population Fund, and the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
