Through existing community-based health promotion groups such as village and school health committees and government health structures, we provide information to over 3,500 people per year on hygiene, sanitation and nutrition, maternal and child health, care for child development (C4CD) and positive fatherhood in remote regions of Osh and Naryn oblasts.

Taking advantage of the increased level of internet connectivity across the country, AKF also launched the mobile application Salamat in partnership with the Republican Health Promotion Center and Digital Health Center. Available in both the Russian and Kyrgyz languages, this application helps parents to keep their children healthy, schedule vaccinations, consultations and check-ups, and participate in disease prevention activities.

AKF has also created and strengthened the capacity of government health and education facilities and institutions that offer services to young children and their families.

We have invested in human resources for child development, including those related to early learning, nutrition, health and responsive caregiving. So far, AKF has trained more than 330 C4CD counsellors who, in turn, have conducted sessions for more than 4,000 households comprising almost 6,000 caregivers and almost 7,000 children. Over 15,000 community members have been reached through public awareness campaigns and health initiatives, and 11 parents' schools have been refurnished to support community health education. The C4CD package has also been integrated into the course of the Kyrgyz State Medical Institute of Continuous Education, which supports the professional development of about 800 medical workers annually in three southern regions of the country.

AKF is leveraging the potential of new technologies in order to improve access to quality health care in rural areas of the Kyrgyz Republic.

AKF has helped establish an eHealth connection between the National Maternal and Child Care Center and National Surgery Center (hub sites), and Naryn Oblast Merged Hospital, Naryn Oblast Family Medicine Center and At-Bashy District Hospital (spoke sites). This connection enables teleconsultations and e-learning sessions to improve service delivery for surgery, maternal and child health clients, and support staff capacity development. Over 500 teleconsultations have been held.

The Foundations for Health and Empowerment (F4HE) programme is working to improve healthcare service delivery in rural and remote areas by strengthening both health infrastructure and human resources.

Twenty health facilities have been refurbished, and 34 medical rooms in secondary schools have been renovated to facilitate regular health check-ups for students.

The programme strengthens existing health facilities by fostering the professional development of healthcare workers, improving retention and improving access to medical service delivery.

To date, more than 600 health professionals from Naryn and Osh oblasts have been supported to undergo professional development training. Thirty-two master trainers have been trained to further cascade knowledge and skills within the health sector. Training venues have included Bishkek, the Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at AKU and the Kazakh School of Public Health.

Women and Girls' Health and Empowerment

The programme improves the health and well-being of women, girls, their families, and communities, with an emphasis on equitable development and empowerment.

The AKHS family medicine and diagnostics centre in Naryn offers high-quality outpatient and diagnostic services to the communities in and adjoining Naryn Oblast, as well as to UCA staff and students.

The Centre operates under a licence issued by the Kyrgyz Republic Health Ministry. It is the first such private not-for-profit centre to provide high-quality, reliable and affordable healthcare services, primarily focusing on diagnostics, family medicine and specialist outpatient services. As with AKHS facilities elsewhere, it also offers welfare for those who cannot afford the service.

Upgraded equipment includes a new-generation ultrasound machine and modern laboratory supplies. New services have been introduced, such as thyroid function diagnostics, vitamin D level testing, and troponin level analysis. The centre has launched microbiology services, added ENT and neurology departments, and welcomed an adolescent medicine specialist to the team.

Nearly 100,000 people have visited and received medical assistance. Annually, around 1,000 individuals undergo preventative diagnostic examinations.