Swiss project helps 45.000 patients with diabetes and high blood pressure to have a healthier life

Local news, 30.11.2021

The Swiss health project on effective management and prevention of noncommunicable diseases has implemented Patient Education Classes for diabetes and high blood pressure patients in the northern oblasts of Kyrgyzstan. 

Nurses train patients to better manage their diseases © Swiss project on effective management and prevention of noncommunicable diseases, 2021

Diabetes and high blood pressure may lead to serious health harms when not treated and properly controlled by health care professionals and patients themselves. Jointly with the Ministry of Health, the Swiss project has prepared almost 700 family nurse trainers in health organizations in Chui, Naryn, Talas and Issyk-Kul to treat up to 45.000 registered patients.

The family nurses have taken over an important role in the education of patients helping them to have a healthier life. For now, 40% of all registered patients with type 2 diabetes and 35% of registered patients with hypertension in Naryn, Chui, Talas and Issyk-Kul oblasts are attending the Patient Education Classes. The patients will learn to better manage their diseases by receiving information on ways to cope with it, how to self-manage and avoid complications. In addition, the Swiss project helped to develop a mobile application for medical staff and patients.

The classes offered in local health facilities have been developed by the Association of Family Group Practitioners, Association of Cardiologists, Association of Endocrinologists, and approved by the Ministry of Health.

The Project "Effective Management and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases in Kyrgyzstan" is financed by the Government of Switzerland to improve the health and wellbeing of the Kyrgyz population in the rural areas of Chui, Talas, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan.

For information: 

Hypertension is when the blood pressure is higher than normal, meaning a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Hypertension may lead to serious health conditions such as heart diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and other serious medical conditions. 

Diabetes is a chronic health condition with elevated blood sugar (blood glucose) levels. Uncontrolled diabetes may lead to severe complications including eye problems and blindness, kidney disease, heart attacks, stroke, and even lower limb amputations. 

Local news, 29.09.2021

Wastewater collector pipe construction kicks off

  • Wastewater collector pipe construction launched in Bishkek
  • Water and wastewater improvement effort, supported by the EBRD, Switzerland and GEF
  • Upgraded wastewater services to improve quality of local life.

Wastewater collector pipe construction launched on 29 September in Bishkek © Swiss Embassy Bishkek, 2021

Over 1 million dwellers of the Kyrgyz Republic capital Bishkek will benefit from upgraded wastewater infrastructure thanks to support from the EBRD, the government of Switzerland and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). An 11-kilometre long wastewater collector pipe, the construction of which was launched today, will connect households in the southern and western part of the city with the central sewerage network. It will enhance sanitation services, improve quality of life and secure long-term sustainability of this key municipal utility.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Alain Pilloux, EBRD Vice President, Zsuzsanna Hargitai, EBRD Managing Director for Central Asia, Olivier Bangerter, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Kyrgyz Republic, Aibek Dzhunushaliev, Mayor of Bishkek City and Muradin Seidaliev, Director of the Bishkek Water company.

The construction of the wastewater collector pipe is the last component of a wider water and wastewater improvement effort to increase water supply, rehabilitate pipelines and renew the laboratory equipment for reliable water analysis in Bishkek. It is financed by an EBRD loan of €8 million to the Bishkek Water Company, supported by a €7.45 million grant from the Government of Switzerland and a US$ 1.5 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).