This competition is a countrywide action to cover male population with primary health care services to prevent or early diagnose noncommunicable diseases. School children had to bring male relatives over 18 years old to their local health facilities. In total more than 127,000 men have received a consultation.

Noncommunicable diseases are chronic, slowly progressing diseases. These include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, lung diseases and diabetes. Every second man in Kyrgyzstan smokes, drinks alcohol and/or is overweight and has high blood pressure. Men are at greater risk and statistics show that the rate of men going to health facilities is low, while mortality from noncommunicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, is high.

According to the competition results, the Swiss project has awarded the following prizes to the schools:

• 11 refrigerators for school canteens
• 6 electric stoves with oven
• 17 interactive whiteboards
• 17 laptops
• 17 projectors
• 15 microwaves
• 5 sets of sports equipment
• 12 sets of sports equipment kits

The competition was timed to coincide with the "Be Responsible!" campaign, announced by the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic in February 2023 to identify risk factors of noncommunicable diseases among men. Special appointment hours for men were established, which helped to increase the availability of medical services.

The project “Effective Management and Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases in Kyrgyzstan”, financed by the Government of Switzerland, is aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of the Kyrgyz population in rural areas through equitable access to quality primary care services and promotion of healthier lifestyles. The first phase of the project covered Chui, Naryn, Talas and Issyk-Kul regions. Starting from July 2022 the project is implementing its activities in Osh, Jalal-Abad, Batken regions as well as in Bishkek and Osh cities. 

Since June 2022, the Kyrgyzstan Investment and Growth Project realized by IFC and financed by the Government of Switzerland, together with its partners and JSC “MAM” is actively working to open new international flights to the country. Business cases and presentations for airlines were prepared, participation in three international aviation events was supported and a series of meetings with airlines were held.

As a result of efforts made by JSC “MAM” and Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and with the support of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, it became possible to open a new Abu Dhabi - Bishkek - Abu Dhabi route in June this year. It is also planned to open a flight on the Abu Dhabi - Osh route in the near future.

Chairman of the Management Board of JSC “MAM” Manasbek Samidinov underlined: “We are sure that our partnership with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi will only expand both in terms of the flights geography and the number of based aircrafts. This will result in inflow of new tourists and development of tourist sector”.

Ambassador of Switzerland to the Kyrgyz Republic Olivier Bangerter congratulated on the opening of the new flight and noted: “The new international air communication means that Kyrgyzstan is now even more open to the world. I hope this will allow many more people to visit Kyrgyzstan and develop tourism”.

IFC Country officer for the Kyrgyz Republic Manizha Mamadnabieva said: “Opening new international air services will help increase the inflow of tourists to the country, develop the tourism industry and create jobs, including for young people and women. This initiative is part of IFC's assistance to develop the private sector and stimulate economic growth in the Kyrgyz Republic”.

IFC also supports the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic in conducting an open Public-private partnership tender to attract a qualified private operator to invest in Manas International Airport infrastructure.