AKIPRESS.COM - The Government of Switzerland and the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan have launched a 297-million-som ($4.8 million) new project entitled “Health Facilities’ Autonomy in Kyrgyzstan” in three pilot districts – Ton, Tyup and Jety-Oguz of Issyk-Kul region.

The launching of the project including a round table with project beneficiaries took place at the end of February 2015 in Karakol. Representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund under the Government, the Embassy of Switzerland, health facilities of Issyk-Kul region and the project team participated in the event to discuss project interventions.

Meder Ismailov, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health said: “The Health Facilities’ Autonomy was initiated to address one of the main barriers in implementing the health reform program “Den Sooluk”. Currently, autonomy is lacking in health facilities in particular in effective financial and human resources management. During this phase, elements of autonomous management will be tested and in 4 year time after evaluation of the results will allow to introduce decentralized management of the health facilities countrywide.”

Deputy Head of the Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland Remy Duiven said: “The goal of the project is to promote and facilitate the achievement of greater efficiency and quality in health care delivery by developing, piloting and rolling out a model of health facilities’ autonomy. The project will also contribute to attaining the strategic objective of the “Den Sooluk” reform program in healthcare area to improve population’s health through providing effective health services and improving health outcomes.”

The project activities will focus on healthcare organization and system management. Also, high attention will be paid to qualitative medical services, hygiene, information systems, human resources, infrastructure, equipment and many other things.

The Swiss-funded project will be implemented by a consortium of organizations composed of GFA Consulting Group GmbH, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and VEK Consulting Ltd. It will run for 4 years in Issyk-Kul region with a view to be scaled up to other regions of Kyrgyzstan.