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. 

Women play an essential role in family and society, meaning that priority attention to women's health contributes not only to individual well-being but also to the strengthening and improvement of the entire society. The countrywide ‘Female Health Month’ aims to support primary prevention and early detection of noncommunicable diseases for women.

Public awareness about prevention and risk factors of noncommunicable diseases (such as alcohol, smoking, unhealthy nutrition, and a sedentary lifestyle) and providing quality medical services at the primary healthcare level will be central parts of the campaign.

The campaign "Female Health Month" will be conducted annually in October and all primary healthcare facilities will be examining and counselling women without a preliminary appointment.

The Swiss project "Effective Management and Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases in Kyrgyzstan", financed by the Swiss Government, helps to improve the health and wellbeing of the Kyrgyz population through equitable access to quality primary care services and the promotion of healthier lifestyles. The project covered Chui, Naryn, Talas and Issyk-Kul regions and now it covers Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken regions, as well as Bishkek and Osh cities.

For more information on the project:

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