COVID-19 hospitals in Kyrgyzstan to be converted into polling stations

Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov declared July 30 the national day of mourning for victims of coronavirus pandemic in Kyrgyzstan, speaking on the national radio station Birinchi Radio. According to official data, there are already almost 35 000 cases in the country, the epidemic continues to rage, dozens of patients die every day. Russian doctors arrived to help the Kyrgyz doctors. Meanwhile, politicians are preparing for the parliamentary elections.

"On this day of remembrance of the fallen compatriots, we will read the Quran. Once again I express my deep condolences to the families and friends of the deceased compatriots. Difficulties and heavy losses are in the heart of every Kyrgyz national. I wish my compatriots patience and courage. May the deceased rest in peace," the President said ...

In Kyrgyzstan, 1,353 people have died since the beginning of the pandemic. In total, there are 34 000 cases, 22,300 people recovered. The epidemic situation are far from great. The authorities have failed the coronavirus exam. The government system has shown an inability to operate and solve problems in an emergency. The population of the country, not getting help from the government, was forced to create a volunteer movement. People began to help each other, open hospitals and even buy concentrators and ventilators. In particular, a field hospital was opened in a mosque near Bishkek on the money of parishioners and local residents. The oxygen station was sent by labor migrants from South Korea.

Sooronbai Jeenebekov assessed volunteers as "maturity indicator for society" and proposed to develop a special law. "In our country, volunteering is still spontaneous. It is necessary to determine the status of volunteers by law," the Kyrgyz president said in an interview with Birinchi Radio.

However, the situation cannot be rectified by volunteers alone. Residents of the Issyk-Kul region are asking for help. There are not enough doctors. In Cholpon-Ata, medical institutions are literally beheaded due to illness and death of leaders. The situation is similar in other regions of Kyrgyzstan. There are hosspital beds, equipment, but no medical staff.

More than 200 Russian doctors arrived to help Kyrgyzstan - 50 doctors from Bashkortostan, 120 military doctors and 47 doctors from Kyrgyzstan. They were assigned to medical institutions in the regions of the republic.

Russia also sent medicines and medical supplies for 150 million rubles in humanitarian assistance to Kyrgyzstan, Russian ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Nikolai Udovichenko said.

President Jeenbekov expressed gratitude to Russian specialists for their assistance in a difficult time for the country. "Russia, as a strategic partner and ally of Kyrgyzstan, is providing invaluable assistance in the fight against coronavirus infection," the Kyrgyz leader said.

Despite the catastrophic coronavirus situation, the country is preparing for the parliamentary elections. They started to convert COVID-19 hospitals into polling stations. One such was found in the village of Mayevka, near Bishkek. The photo (see above) of the polling station was sent to 24.kg news agency by one of the republic's residents, who brought a condenser to the hospital. "We took the condenser to the hospital, and the preparation is well underway there," he wrote.

The election campaign has already begun. 44 political parties announced their intention to compete for parliamentary mandates. Experts believe that no more than six parties will actually enter parliament. At the same time, there is still no party in power or opposition. By August 20, the parties must decide on their candidates, create an electoral fund and pay the election deposit of 5 million soms (about 5 million rubles). Elections in Kyrgyzstan are not cheap.

The people are outraged and demand to postpone the parliamentary elections. However, Sooronbai Jeenbekov believes that the parliamentary elections should be held on time. He asked politicians not to politicize this issue. "On the one hand, there is a shortage of drugs, on the other, there is a shortage of doctors, and this is our main concern. It’s just right to say: "What elections, what policy?" But nevertheless, dear compatriots, as president, I say that everything should be done on time. No matter what difficulties we have, no matter what happens, we have no right to forget about tomorrow. We have a rule-of-law state, and we are its conscientious citizens. The autumn parliamentary elections will be held within the timeframe established by the Constitution. I signed the corresponding decree. The Central Election Commission began its work in accordance with the law," Jeenbekov said.