Kyrgyzstan is among the countries with the highest prevalence of cervical and breast cancer in the world. In June 2022, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, we launched a women’s health project in Sokuluk district, close to the capital, Bishkek, where we are working to decentralise cancer prevention by integrating screening services into general healthcare facilities. Our team trained nurses and midwives to carry out tasks such as visual cervical inspection and breast examination.  

The aim of the project is to achieve a sustainable early detection and treatment programme for cervical and breast cancer and promote its implementation countrywide.

Alongside this project and pursuant to our planetary health strategic commitment, we opened an ‘eco-village’ with local partners in Sokuluk, which allows people to drop off their recyclable waste in exchange for basic household goods.

In the aftermath of two international conflicts with neighbouring Tajikistan in 2021 and 2022, our teams worked in Razzaqov, Batken region, from August 2022 to December 2023, addressing people’s medical and mental health needs. After completing our objectives, we closed the project at the end of December 2023.