Adequate health financing is essential to manage the burden on the health system. Policy responses on payment for health services by Kyrgyzstan during COVID-19 were reviewed by the European Observatory for Health Systems and Policies. The review of COVID-19 response measures (in Russian) includes the following six subsections:
- Prevention of spread (related to COVID-19)
- Ensuring the necessary physical infrastructure and human resources
- Effective provision of health services
- Payment for (health) services
- Strategic governance
- Measures in other sectors
Subsection #4 on health care financing illustrates how much is spent on health care and how these costs are allocated to different health services. It also describes who gets financial coverage for testing and treatment for COVID-19, and if there are any significant gaps (in population coverage or coverage for certain services), and how much people pay (if they should pay) for these services from out-of-pocket sources.
In total, as of February 1, 2021, Kyrgyzstan received humanitarian aid from 15 countries and 65 national and international organizations . The largest share of goods received within the framework of this assistance went towards medical products & supplies (48%) and PPE (47%) [1].
The second link [2], based on IMF materials, includes additional details on undertaken public health containment policies, monetary, trade measures and other policies as part of COVID-19 response in Kyrgyzstan. For example, in terms of tax policies, Kyrgyzstan [2]:
- Postponed the deadline for submitting a single tax return for individuals and individual entrepreneurs until September 1, 2020
- Provided assistance to businesses and helped business continuity
- Provided cash to the population during the emergency
In summary, authorities of Kyrgyzstan safeguarded health spending at around budgeted levels and created space for increasing health and other spending [1].
Sources:
[1] European Observatory for Health Systems and Policies, https://www.covid19healthsystem.org/countries/kyrgyzstan/livinghit.aspx?Section=4.1%20Health%20financing&Type=Section
[2] IMF, Policy Responses to COVID-19: https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/2021-03/Kyrgyzstan_COVID%20Country%20profile%20230321.pdf
