Kyrgyzstan Healthcare System & Medical Insurance Options for Expats
The healthcare system in Kyrgyzstan is making consistent efforts to provide the best services to its citizens. To ensure that, the country has been extensively importing lots of medicines. As an expat in Kyrgyzstan, it is of utmost importance for you to purchase global health insurance. It is a must to cover your medical expenses, especially in case of an emergency. Whatever be your requirement of private healthcare, make sure that your insurance policy covers medical evacuation or airlifting to another country in emergencies.
Even though expats in Kyrgyzstan have access to sufficient medical services, the overall state of healthcare in the country is still evolving. Expats or digital nomads must procure an international health insurance policy before arriving here. Despite domestic amenities being accessible to global citizens and expats, you might require a prompt ‘pay in cash’ option. While an emergency evacuation may be necessary to deal with the severest of cases, it can be expensive too at the same time. To avoid having to pay hefty medical bills, expats can purchase global health insurance to cover medical costs in Kyrgyzstan before moving to the country.
Another reason why an insurance cover in Kyrgyzstan is a must is that private healthcare is not widely available in the country. More details about the country’s healthcare setup are available at CDC.
Overview of Healthcare in Kyrgyzstan
If you are an expat who plans to live in Kyrgyzstan for a while, you must obtain international health insurance on priority. While selecting an insurance package, you must ascertain that it provides for all arrangements to deal with any medical emergency.
Generally, in Kyrgyzstan, emergency medical services are not available in rural areas. Most of the emergency service workers do not speak English too. In such situations, expats must seek help from a local colleague or acquaintance who can help bridge the communication gap.
If you have an excellent private health insurance plan, you are in safe hands. It makes it easy to obtain proper care at one of the private hospitals or clinics, where doctors and staff have better communication skills.
How the Kyrgyzstan Healthcare System Works for Expats
Expats can avail local services and amenities, but they will need to pay instantly in cash. Most expats prefer Neomed as their first choice in Bishkek. However, it is not easily accessible in other locations of Kyrgyzstan. Meanwhile, pharmacies all over the country stock a variety of medicines and normally do not ask for prescriptions.
Apart from the regular vaccines, vaccines for Hepatitis A/B/ E, rabies, brucellosis, tuberculosis, and meningitis are also inevitable before expats enter the country. They can also bring along vitamin supplements since food in certain parts of Kyrgyzstan lacks proper nutrition. This is particularly true if you are eating from outside.
Public healthcare in Kyrgyzstan
The government of Kyrgyzstan has made significant improvements in its public healthcare system. Specifically, it’s delivery provision domain has undergone significant changes by implementing new clinical and practical directives. The state has taken various initiatives to improve the availability of medicinal products, priority maternity programs, and management of cardiovascular disorders, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS.
Private healthcare in Kyrgyzstan
Bishkek has provisions and facilities for world-class medical care. Medical facilities in Kyrgyzstan are cheaper as compared to those in the West. Even then, the standard of healthcare in the country is not near to what’s easily procurable in Western countries.
Emergency Medical Services in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has approximately 3,000 pharmacies. However, most of them do not remain open for 24 hours.
You can dial these phone numbers for emergency services in Kyrgyzstan:
- Public Ambulance – 103
- Private Ambulance – 151
- Directory – 109
- Fire – 101
- Police – 102
Best Private International Medical Insurance Plans for Expats in Kyrgyzstan
You are strongly advised to obtain comprehensive international health insurance if you plan to live in Kyrgyzstan. Only the cities and larger towns of Kyrgyzstan have emergency services. For everywhere else, you may need to obtain emergency evacuation.
If you want, you can inquire about medical care at a private hospital or clinic in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. The most widely procured global health insurance plans in Kyrgyzstan are those from leading companies like Cigna Global and Allianz International. You can review and compare their plans before choosing the best policy for you.
