According to the preliminary data, tuberculosis incidence in Kyrgyzstan decreased last year. The director of the National Phthisiology Center, Abdullaat Kadyrov, reported that in 2022, the incidence rate was 65.5 per 100,000 population, while in 2023, it dropped to 60 cases per 100,000. There is also a decrease in mortality rates.
However, the executive director of the Partnership Network Association, Aibar Sultangaziev, believes that the decrease is due to a lower detection rate of tuberculosis patients in the country. He highlighted the importance of early detection and emphasized that the disease has not disappeared.
Sultangaziev suggested reallocating the saved funds from medications towards enhancing detection efforts, particularly in rural regions through screening and diagnostics. He also mentioned the ongoing discussion about establishing a diagnostic laboratory in southern Kyrgyzstan.
Kadyrov countered Sultangaziev's claims by stating the consistent rise in drug-resistant tuberculosis cases globally. He mentioned the implementation of innovative methods, such as acquiring digital X-ray machines with artificial intelligence for nationwide screening.
Regarding the tuberculosis laboratory in Osh, Kadyrov mentioned its completion of major repairs. The Ministry of Health previously announced a 35% reduction in the country's tuberculosis service bed capacity due to the stable decline in incidence and mortality rates over the past decade.
