Kyrgyzstan has adopted a 12-year state strategy for the development of public health including health systems. Tagged “Healthy person – prosperous country”, the new health strategy for 2019–2030 aims to protect health, ensure access to essential quality services, strengthen primary health care and decrease financial hardship for all people and communities, in pursuit of universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.
Health strategy built on partnerships
WHO has supported the Ministry of Health not only by providing technical expertise and building local capacity, but critically, by bringing together and coordinating stakeholders and development partners working in all aspects of the health sector.
Throughout the formulation process of the strategy, WHO contributed to ensuring a consultative approach. For example, a series of regional consultations provided the opportunity for the Ministry of Health to present the draft plan and get feedback from the regional coordinators.
This widely inclusive process led Kyrgyz high officials to recognize the value in partnerships and to join the International Health Partnership for UHC 2030 (UHC2030) and sign the United Nations Global Compact, during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2018. Signing the Global Compact is a formal requirement for partners interested in joining UHC2030, and a great demonstration of commitment to taking action towards UHC.
Signing the Global Compact means current and future partners – including governments, international organizations, philanthropic foundations, civil society and the private sector – commit to working together to accelerate progress towards UHC, through building equitable, resilient and sustainable health systems.
Active participation of all stakeholders at all levels of the health system from all regions of the country is also at the core of the strategy, to ensure ownership and success during implementation.
The new health strategy is aligned with other national policies, such as the National Development Strategy for 2018–2040, which focuses on the long-term development of Kyrgyzstan, as well as the Development Programme of the Kyrgyz Republic 2018–2022: Unity, Trust, Creativity, which focuses on basic principles and ways of achieving development goals in political, social and economic spheres.
4th generation health strategy
“Healthy person – prosperous country” 2019–2030 is the 4th such health strategy. WHO has provided support to the development of the previous 3 health strategies, Manas 1996–2006, Manas Taalimi 2006–2010 and Den Sooluk 2012–2018.
