An 18-year-old resident of Bishkek-in a shelter for women suffering from drug addiction. Interview | How the approach to mental health in Kyrgyzstan changes Healthcare 11 percent of the population of Kyrgyzstan suffers from mental disorders. An increase in the number of mental diseases is a global trend. And this year, the topic of mental health first became central at a high -level UN meeting in non -infectious diseases, which took place on September 25 under the General Assembly. Lyudmila Blagonravova talked with the Minister of Health of Kyrgyzstan, Erkin Chechibaev, who took part in the meeting, how the approaches to mental disorders are changing and why prevention becomes not only a medical, but also an economic priority. 62 > LB: the theme of mental health is first included in the name of a high -level meeting on non -infectious diseases. What steps does Kyrgyzstan take to strengthen the mental health support system ?~ 60 >~ 60 >~ 60 > ech: 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62Yes, indeed, this year for the first time the theme of mental health is included in the UN meeting program at a high level. This suggests that the problem is growing around the world, mental health acquires a priority. ~ 60 > 62 ~ in Kyrgyzstan, according to the latest data, about 11 percent of the population suffers from any kind of mental disorders, starting from anxiety, depression, and no longer to mention dependencies, such as dependence, such as dependence, such From alcohol, tobacco, psychoactive substances. Therefore, in Kyrgyzstan for the first time in many years, a national strategy is being developed precisely in mental health. Historically in Kyrgyzstan, as in many countries of the post -Soviet space, this issue has stigmatized. 60 ~/iframe > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 ~ 62 one seeking help in a psychiatric clinic was considered as something out of the ordinary. But now, by integrating these services into the primary link, we are trying to bring these services to the population as close as possible. Thus, we introduce multidisciplinary teams, where, along with a family doctor, there is a psychiatrist, psychologist and patronage nurse. 62 ~~ 60 > 62 ~We increase the role of the nurse, include psychologists and psychiatrists in this team at the level of district centers and thus try to identify mental problems in the early stages. This brings the services to the population and at the same time reduces stigmatization. A person does not need to contact a psychiatric clinic, but it is enough to come to an ordinary doctor where there is a psychologist, and a patronage nurse can detect symptoms in the early stages. ~ 60 > We believe that these services are very important to bring closer to the population. In general, in general, the development of primary health care is priority in the country. In Kyrgyzstan this year, the construction of hospitals, more than 30 new clinics began, buildings are being repaired. ~ 60 > we plan to build a huge multifunctional multidisciplinary clinic – a medical town, there will be about 5,000 beds, but along with the strengthening of inpatient assistance, of course, the primary assistance, in, of course, the primary assistance. Center for family medicine, strengthening the role of primary assistance in the regions. & nbsp; 60 ~ p >Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous country, more than 60 percent of the population lives in regions, in rural areas, in high -mountain regions. ~ 60 > ~ 60 > LB: I just wanted to ask how the needs of vulnerable groups – rural population, women, women, women, women, women, women Youth ? 60 > ech: Yes, literally recently using our international partners, we conducted a study where we revealed where we identified Vulnerable sections of the population, these are adolescents, women, young women, especially during, before and after pregnancy. This is the same target group on which we must focus our attention. What is done ? Kyrgyzstan is the only country in the post -Soviet space where the principle of involvement of local communities has been introduced. That is, at the village level, the so -called rural health committees have been created, which consist of active women. & Amp; nbsp; and they are involved in all issues of the prevention of non -infectious diseases, infectious ones, too. And through these health committees, we teach the population at the regions level. Read also: > project of a historical declaration of according Non-infectious diseases and mental health: what are the world leaders in New York discuss ~ 60 > as for adolescents, we work closely with the Ministry of Education, programs are being implemented in schools. For example, an early detection of a stroke. We teach children to detect a stroke in parents, the first symptoms of stroke. 60 > of course, we teach children risk factors, for example, we talk about the dangers of tobacco use, promote a healthy lifestyle. as for women, we first adapted for women. International program. This is a mobile application for pregnant women, which was translated into English. These are not only advice on early counseling, registering, female consultations, but this is also the control of nutrition, the first symptoms of diseases. And at the same time, this application makes it possible to control or monitor the mental state of a pregnant woman, to identify anxiety states, neurosis conditions and so on on time. ~ 60 > ~ 60 > we try to implement digitalization in all areas, including mental Health. 60 ~ P > LB: how all these efforts are financed ? Data data shows that investment in the prevention of infectious diseases and the fight against mental illnesses, as a rule, pays off. What financing mechanisms Kyrgyzstan considers ?~ 60 > ech: 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62 > 62Literally the day before yesterday, we took part at an expanded meeting at the Luxembourg Embassy. & Amp; nbsp; I discussed with the ministers of the healthcare of Luxembourg, Bulgaria investment in prevention. ~ 60 >~ 60 > Yes, indeed, by many research, investment in 7-10 times more. For each invested dollar, $ 7-10 returns in the form of preserved health of the able-bodied population, tax receipts and so on. ~ ~ 60 > but the problem is that we need more clear tools and research in order to talk with our partners, government colleagues. These are ministers of the economy, finance. In order to justify the very fiscal measures. They are well -known, they are proven. This is increased taxation on tobacco, alcohol, sugar -containing drinks, trans fats. We know about this, and we tell our colleagues, ministers of the economy, how such interventions will bring double benefits. Firstly, these are improved health indicators. secondly, additional revenues to the budget in the form of taxes, excise taxes. The second is a redirect the state budget for prevention. For the first time this year-in the year 2026-we laid 100 percent more financing from the state budget for public health care. ~ 60 > if historically all this time public healthcare was funded according to the residual principle, 97 percent of the health budget went to treatment, hospitals, 3 to medicines, 3 percent – for prevention. And these 3 percent did not increase. And for the first time this year, we held negotiations with the Minister of Finance, we substantiated the importance of prevention. The President of Kyrgyzstan pays special attention to an increase in life expectancy and quality of life. A clear task has been set to increase the average life expectancy of Kyrgyz people. & Amp; nbsp; president himself is an active supporter of a healthy lifestyle. Sports facilities, football fields, bicycle paths are being built throughout the country. Twice a year, our football championship is held among ministries. & Amp; NBSP; and the Ministry of Health this year was the champion. Political support from the leadership, of course, affects very strongly. ~ 60 > I think the budget allocated for prevention will increase, because we all understood that millions and billions can be spent on treatment. But this will never be enough. And an increase in the budget for prevention will bring tangible results very quickly. You know, this year we calculated 37 short interventions that can quickly give an effect. These are activities of an economic nature, a change in the environment, an educational nature, of course, a change in legislation, all this will bring quick results. For 3-5 years, we can introduce these approved outlines that will be effective. ~ 60 > LB: what do you expect from a high meeting Level ? 60 > ech: very fact that the theme of mental and mental health was raised at such a high level, it already makes it a priority. This year we in Kyrgyzstan – even before this meeting – raised questions of mental health. 60 ~ p >Psychiatric clinics need to be repaired. & Amp; nbsp; it is necessary to increase the bed fund. Every year, the number of patients with similar problems is growing and will grow. The predictions of the cart are such that the incidence of mental disorders will only grow. 60 > in our anxious world at a time when a person has to take about 300-400 decisions per day, this leads to disorders, depression, and burnout at work. Therefore, we are developing a national strategy until 2030 to develop a mental health service to reduce stigmatization. We work closely with international partners. we adapt all the UN recommendations. Multidisciplinary teams are being introduced. Therefore, the expectations are such that since the topic of mental health is raised at the level of the UN General Assembly, then, of course, all countries, not only Kyrgyzstan, but the countries of Central Asia will do this tightly. We work closely with our neighbors within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). 60 > literally recently there was a forum under the EAEU, where the theme of the health of migrants was raised. You know, about half a million Kyrgyz people are temporarily traveling to the nearest countries, to Russia. Their health, within the framework of the EAEU, is our common problem that we try to solve together. ~ 60 > Therefore, I hope this issue will be raised both within the EAEU and within the SCO. Next year, Kyrgyzstan will meet our partners on the SCO and as part of the organization of Turkic states. And we will definitely include this topic in the agenda.