Call 118! Switzerland helped to establish call centres in Kyrgyzstan to combat COVID-19

Local news, 12.05.2020

Seven call centres are being launched at Family Medicine Centres in all oblasts of Kyrgyzstan, starting from May 11 to provide remote, timely and qualified medical consultation on prevention of COVID-19 to the population of the country.

Call centres operate through the single information number - 118. Each call centre has 4 operators: 2 nurses and 2 trained residents, who work 12 hours per day: from 8:00 to 20:00.

Daily work of call centres © Swiss project "Medical Education Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic", 2020

Call centres have been launched in Chui and Naryn oblast. Within a week five other call centres will be opened in the other regions to operate throughout the country.

The main goal of the call centers is to reduce hospitalization related to COVID-19 by providing timely and qualified medical consultations to the population. Providing the population with accurate and comprehensive information about the coronavirus and symptom-based remote counselling are essential to reduce the number of visits to health facilities.

When receiving calls from people complaining about symptoms similar to coronavirus, the operators will make a rapid clinical assessment of the patient's condition according to the algorithm and transfer the information to the mobile teams. The mobile teams will then assess the epidemiological situation on site, perform COVID-19 test and hospitalize patients if necessary.

This work is carried out within the Swiss project "Medical Education Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic", which is aimed to ensure quality medical care to the Kyrgyz population provided by well-trained medical personnel. The Government of Switzerland has been financing the heath project since 2013.  

Local news, 27.03.2020

On March 27, 2020, the Government of Switzerland has equipped mobile units of the Family Center of Medicine of Chui Region and Regional Family Center of Medicine of Pervomayskii rayon with necessary personal protective equipment.

Kyrgyz medical workers receive personal protective equipment from Switzerland © Swiss funded health project, 2020

This support in the amount of more than 3 million Kyrgyz soms has been provided within the framework of the Swiss funded project “Effective Management and Prevention on Noncommunicable Diseases in Kyrgyzstan”. The project has purchased the necessary personal protective equipment and other medical supplies in the following amount: 

  • Protective anti-epidemic suit – 2020;

  • Medical disposable robe – 1335;

  • Medical Disposable Mask – 6000;

  • Protective glasses – 400;

  • Respirator for protection against suspended matter – 99;

  • Filters for respirators – 490;

  • Examination gloves – 9700;

  • Disposable spatula - 24100;

  • Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, 65 ml bottle – 2980;

  • Alcohol-based hand sanitizers, 900 ml bottle – 100;

  • Biohazardous waste sack – 2900;

  • Pulse oximeter – 30.

According to the World Health Organization, the COVID-19 virus is transmitted between people through close contact and droplet transmission. The people most at risk of infection are those who are in close contact with a COVID-19 patient or who care for COVID-19 patients.

Personal protective equipment protects healthcare workers and prevent infection transmission in healthcare facilities. The Swiss funded project ensures the effective control of coronavirus infection by providing vital personal protective equipment and other medical essential supplies to health workers.

Switzerland encourages citizens to stay at home to help health facilities reduce the burden.