Our teams started to prepare new activities in Sokuluk, Chuy province to improve early detection, treatment and prevention of breast and cervical cancers. Kyrgyzstan is among the countries with the highest prevalence of cervical cancer, and a lack of active screening means that women are diagnosed at a very late stage. Our new project will pilot decentralising cancer prevention and care by integrating detection and treatment into basic healthcare facilities.  

In Chuy province, which experienced a high number of COVID-19 cases, our teams continued to provide home-based care for people showing mild and moderate COVID-19 symptoms, and organised referrals for those requiring hospital treatment. As new infections fell, we stopped these activities in April.   

After delays caused by COVID-19 in 2020, our teams were finally able to conduct a comprehensive health risk assessment in Aiderkan, Batken province, to determine the extent of people’s exposure to heavy metal pollution. Initial results revealed chronic exposure to heavy metals, including arsenic and antimony, especially among children. As a result, our teams will initiate activities to treat patients with high levels of heavy metal pollution in 2022, while advocating for stronger clinical and public health measures to treat and prevent the risk of heavy metal pollution. 

In addition, our teams in Aiderkan continued to offer treatment for chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as sexual and reproductive healthcare and screening for cervical and breast cancer.  

In April, when fighting broke out along the disputed Kyrgyz–Tajik border in Batken province, our teams swiftly mobilised to provide basic healthcare and psychosocial counselling to displaced people.