Representatives of government agencies of the Kyrgyz Republic, international organizations and One Health programme partners discussed strengthening preparedness for pandemics and emergencies. Key priorities included the early detection of infectious disease threats, the development of laboratory infrastructure, interagency coordination and the development of a national action plan.

The interagency roundtable was held on 25 October 2026 in Bishkek at the initiative of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, with support from the EpiC project (FHI 360). Participants included representatives of the ministries responsible for health; water resources, agriculture and processing industry; natural resources, ecology and technical supervision; and emergency situations, as well as representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) and other partner organizations.

During the meeting, Gulbara Ishenapysova, Deputy Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, presented the initiatives of Minister of Health Damir Osmonov, which he outlined on 25 September 2026 during the Interactive Multi-Stakeholder Hearing at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The hearing was held as part of the preparations for the High-Level Meeting on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.

In his address, Damir Osmonov emphasized that pandemic prevention requires not only strengthening national health systems but also coordinated action by government agencies, international organizations, the scientific community and civil society. The Minister highlighted the importance of international cooperation, strengthening epidemiological surveillance, the early detection of infectious disease threats, enhancing laboratory capacity and improving information sharing.

He also underscored the importance of the One Health approach, which brings together efforts to protect human and animal health and the environment in order to prevent and control infectious diseases more effectively.

Ms. Ishenapysova stressed the need to strengthen early warning systems, develop laboratory infrastructure and improve coordination among government agencies. Other priorities include training specialists and developing the operational capacity of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre.

Early Detection: Laboratories and Digital Systems

To accelerate epidemiological surveillance, the electronic health information system “Sanarip Clinic” and the iEPID system are being integrated. This will enable the automated transmission of notifications of notifiable diseases and reduce the time required for data to reach the relevant authorities.

Regional services play a crucial role, as they are often the first to encounter suspected cases. To ensure the timely detection of threats, these services need modern equipment, trained personnel and effective information-sharing mechanisms.

Veterinary Surveillance and Wildlife Monitoring

Veterinary surveillance and wildlife health monitoring are essential components of the One Health approach, enabling the timely detection of threats that can be transmitted between animals and humans. In Kyrgyzstan, efforts in this area include the prevention of transboundary animal diseases, strengthening veterinary laboratories and expanding surveillance for infectious diseases in wildlife.

As noted by Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan, the organization supports efforts to combat brucellosis, foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants (PPR). Simulation exercises on transboundary animal disease outbreaks are being conducted, alongside activities to strengthen the preparedness of veterinary services. As part of PPR prevention efforts, the delivery of 1.5 million doses of vaccine for sheep and goats is planned, followed by monitoring of post-vaccination immunity.

Kyrgyzstan has also joined FAO’s Global Programme for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPPAD). The programme promotes cooperation among government authorities, farmers, producers, the private sector and financial institutions.

To strengthen veterinary surveillance, more than 465 professionals from public and private veterinary services have received training in the use of an electronic veterinary reporting system. In addition, 18 seminars on the “7-1-7” tool were held, involving approximately 480 specialists. Equipment, reagents and consumables were supplied to 74 veterinary and sanitary laboratories.

Further priorities include the development of laboratory information management systems (LIMS), mobile diagnostics and cold chain infrastructure, as well as the implementation of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance for 2025–2028.

Wildlife health monitoring is another important area of work. Based on the results of samples collected in 2024 and tested in 2025, sarcoptic mange was detected in 169 of 348 Siberian ibex (48.6%) and 4 of 54 argali sheep (7.5%).

To improve wildlife monitoring, GPS mapping of patrol routes, camera traps and biological sample collection are being used. A total of 140 inspectors, gamekeepers and staff from protected areas have received training. Activities were carried out across all seven regions of Kyrgyzstan.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Public health emergency preparedness requires coordinated action by different services at every stage, from early warning and resource mobilization to emergency response. Timely information sharing, the availability of essential medical supplies and the training of personnel remain critical prerequisites.

With support from the EpiC project (FHI 360), training programmes are being implemented on plague, anthrax, rabies and brucellosis. A workforce development plan to strengthen global health security has also been developed and approved by several relevant ministries.

Crisis communication is another area of support. Activities include the preparation of information materials, the provision of equipment to government agencies for producing information content, and the development of tools for monitoring the information environment. These measures help ensure that the public receives timely information during emergencies and help counter the spread of misinformation.

National One Health Action Plan

Kyrgyzstan is implementing initiatives in public health, veterinary services, environmental protection and emergency response. The next step is to bring these sector-specific initiatives together within a coordinated framework of priorities, coordination mechanisms and clearly defined responsibilities.

As part of the roundtable, a presentation was delivered on international coordination practices and practical steps for developing national action plans under the One Health approach. Oksana Kravtsova, One Health Programme Coordinator at CAREC, presented international experience in multisectoral collaboration and outlined the key areas of the Regional One Health Action Plan (ROHAP). Particular attention was given to international coordination mechanisms and successful regional initiatives implemented in West Africa and the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The presentation also highlighted the technical and methodological support that the Regional Secretariat of the One Health Programme is prepared to provide to Central Asian countries, particularly Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, in developing their National One Health Action Plans (NOHAPs).

The proposed support includes assistance throughout the entire national planning process, from reviewing existing mechanisms and identifying priorities to finalizing and endorsing the plan; engagement of international and regional experts; facilitation of interagency consultations and experience-sharing with countries that have already developed similar plans; provision of regional analytical data; and adaptation of international methodological tools to national contexts.

In addition, the Secretariat stands ready to support the development of monitoring mechanisms for plan implementation and the alignment of national priorities with the regional agenda. This assistance aims to strengthen multisectoral coordination and foster sustainable cooperation among the health, agriculture and environmental sectors.

Strengthening the One Health system in Kyrgyzstan requires a shift from isolated sector-specific activities towards a more integrated approach to threat prevention. Enhancing early detection, laboratory diagnostics, veterinary surveillance and interagency coordination will help improve the country’s preparedness for pandemics and other emergencies that threaten human, animal and environmental health.

Shoira Toirova
PR Consultant, One Health Programme

For further information:

Oksana Kravtsova – Regional “One Health” Program Coordinator, CAREC, [email protected]