With the support from the European Union, WHO, together with the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, conducted a ceremony of handing over Family Doctor’s Bags as a continuation of basic services at primary health care during the COVID-19 pandemic

WHO purchased 190 family doctors bags for family doctors for their daily home visits and provision of basic services to families at the primary health care level. The bags contain essential medical equipment for measuring blood pressure, blood glucose level, hemoglobin and basic urine tests. Pulse-oximeters, thermometers, torniquets, torches and fetal stethoscopes will enable doctors in their daily obstetric and pediatric services. Moreover, the contents of bags include a portable fetal doppler device for detection and recording of fetal heart rate in pregnant women. The bags are very convenient to carry for home visits as well as patient visits to Family Health Centers. The distribution of bags took place in Chui oblast as a pilot initiative.

Besides the bags 6 Family Health Centers will receive Hemoque blood analyzers for prompt blood hemoglobin detection in patients with anemia and with acute health emergencies.

“We note with satisfaction that provision of family doctor’s bags and Hemoque equipment will not only improve access to primary health care but significantly upgrade the quality of care at the primary level. Doctors will feel more confident and respected when they visit their patients and provide quality and complex care to all family members of all ages. Patients’ satisfaction and trust in health care will also improve,” said Nazira Artykova, WHO Representative in Kyrgyzstan. “This initiative is so far as a pilot. In two months’ time, we will gather the information and feedback from doctors whether provided equipment and consumables were useful or not.”

“WHO’s continuous support with financial assistance from the EU helps to firstly support and encourage family doctors on the spot and improve access and quality care towards the continuation of basic services,” commented Acting Minister of Health Zharkynbek Orozbekovich Kasymbekov.

***

Background: As part of the continuation of basic services in primary health care, WHO supported the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic in 2020-21 by the provision of essential drugs for the treatment of asthma, hypertension and diabetes countrywide. Moreover, every patient with diabetes was provided with an individual glucose meter with 500 blood strips. Family doctors were provided with pulse oximeters, personal protective equipment and other medical consumables. 55 mobile immunization teams were created for the continuation of child immunization at all places in Kyrgyzstan. Mental health care and psychological support to medical staff to protect them from burnout are provided.

WHO organized this event as part of the “COVID-19 in Central Asia: Crisis Response" (CACCR) program”, funded by the European Union (EU) and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. This Project covers Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan and is designed to help to prevent, detect and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in these countries.