"We'll Give You Apartments First, No Waiting"... Kyrgyzstan’s Drastic Measures to Address Doctor Shortage

Doctors’ Salaries to Double, Priority Housing Allocated
Government Takes Drastic Measures to Stem Outflow of Medical Professionals

Kyrgyzstan in Central Asia is set to significantly expand its social support for physicians working in the public health sector. The government plans to double doctors’ salaries and prioritize the allocation of apartments with low-interest mortgage loans to medical professionals, aiming to address the outflow of healthcare workers.

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According to the Times of Central Asia (TCA) on January 5 (local time), Kanibek Dzhumambetov, Minister of Health of Kyrgyzstan, recently visited a national medical facility in the capital city of Bishkek and announced, “Starting in April, we will increase the salaries of all doctors nationwide by 100 percent.”

The government also plans to offer a total of 5,000 mortgage-financed apartments to medical personnel, giving them priority access without having to wait in the general queue. The interest rates for these loans are reportedly set at relatively low levels due to government support.

The Kyrgyz government stated that this policy is intended to prevent the outflow of skilled professionals in the medical field and to strengthen incentives for the medical profession.

Minister Dzhumambetov said, “The Ministry of Health must effectively reform the healthcare system and establish a sustainable and transparent operating framework.” He added that improving medical infrastructure, advancing maternal and child health, and strengthening public health and disease prevention services are also key priorities. He emphasized that the coming period will be a significant turning point for Kyrgyzstan’s healthcare system.

Kyrgyzstan, with a population of about 7 million, is estimated to have a nationwide shortage of at least 5,000 doctors. The vacancy rate for healthcare professionals in the public health sector reportedly exceeds 45 percent.

The shortage of doctors is particularly acute in rural areas. In Bishkek, there are about 19 doctors per 10,000 residents, while in Talas Province, a rural area in the northwest, the figure drops to just 9.3. By specialty, there are significant shortages in family medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics and gynecology.

Analysts point to a combination of structural factors behind the doctor shortage, including low wage levels and a high proportion of older doctors nearing retirement. In addition, of the approximately 2,000 new doctors graduating from universities each year, only about 25 percent enter national medical institutions, while the remainder reportedly join private healthcare providers.