Switzerland has allocated CHF 3.5 mln (around 320 million soms) for the project to contribute to decent work and income opportunities for many people working in this area. It will help to develop cross-country skiing, ice skating, snow shoeing and other winter sport activities in Karakol destination, which then will be roll out in other regions of the country.

The event was attended by representatives of Kyrgyz authorities, international organizations, tourism businesses, civil and expert communities.

“I am confident that through our joint efforts we can achieve success in development of winter tourism. Moreover, we can make our country famous in many parts of the world and create an effective mechanism of sustainable winter tourism development", - said Kiyal Kenjematova, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Information, Tourism and Youth Policy.

“Tourism in Kyrgyzstan can become an important contributor to economic growth, creating income and economic opportunities for many people. Supporting the Kyrgyz Government and other Kyrgyz partners in their efforts to develop the private sector including for tourism remains one of the priorities of the Swiss cooperation”, said Olivier Bangerter, Swiss Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan.

The Swiss project will also address the issues of climate change and environmental protection. During the event, the participants were presented with main areas of work and planned activities.

The first phase of the project is designed for four years and implemented by Helvetas Kyrgyzstan.

Diabetes and high blood pressure may lead to serious health harms when not treated and properly controlled by health care professionals and patients themselves. Jointly with the Ministry of Health, the Swiss project has prepared almost 700 family nurse trainers in health organizations in Chui, Naryn, Talas and Issyk-Kul to treat up to 45.000 registered patients.

The family nurses have taken over an important role in the education of patients helping them to have a healthier life. For now, 40% of all registered patients with type 2 diabetes and 35% of registered patients with hypertension in Naryn, Chui, Talas and Issyk-Kul oblasts are attending the Patient Education Classes. The patients will learn to better manage their diseases by receiving information on ways to cope with it, how to self-manage and avoid complications. In addition, the Swiss project helped to develop a mobile application for medical staff and patients.

The classes offered in local health facilities have been developed by the Association of Family Group Practitioners, Association of Cardiologists, Association of Endocrinologists, and approved by the Ministry of Health.

The Project "Effective Management and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases in Kyrgyzstan" is financed by the Government of Switzerland to improve the health and wellbeing of the Kyrgyz population in the rural areas of Chui, Talas, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan.

For information: 

Hypertension is when the blood pressure is higher than normal, meaning a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg and a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Hypertension may lead to serious health conditions such as heart diseases, heart attacks, strokes, and other serious medical conditions. 

Diabetes is a chronic health condition with elevated blood sugar (blood glucose) levels. Uncontrolled diabetes may lead to severe complications including eye problems and blindness, kidney disease, heart attacks, stroke, and even lower limb amputations.