Health Ministry admits lack of wards, equipment and personnel

AKIPRESS.COM - Health Ministry for the first time admitted that most hospitals in Bishkek for patients with coronavirus and pneumonia are full, therefore the preparation of additional wards continues in other hospitals.
"The lack of wards is mainly observed in Bishkek and Osh. The number of patients in serious condition with pneumonia has sharply increased," Deputy Minister Madamin Karataev said on June 30.
We have a problem with a lack of oxygen concentrators. Yesterday, 57 concetrators were distributed to hospitals. We expect that concentrators and ventilators will come from China in few days," Karatayev added.
According to him, there is also a personnel issue. Many medical workers contracted coronavirus. About 30% of personnel work in the Health Ministry. Those who contracted virus work remotely.
"The health workers were instructed to look at clinical symptoms and if necessary to hospitalize patients without PCR tests. All asymptomatic patients with mild form should be isolated at home," he said.
Karatayev said that there has been a lot of concerns with purchase of drugs in the last two days, prices are rising. "This is incorrect information. There are enough of drug stocks. No need to panic. The State Antimonopoly Service and the Health Ministry are working to ensure steady prices for drugs," he said.