On March 18, 2014, the Transit Center at Manas presented seven sets of ventilation and anesthesia equipment worth $351,000 to the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic at a ceremony held at the National Hospital in Bishkek. This final donation marks the end of the longstanding cooperation between the Transit Center and the Ministry of Health. U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Laura Griesmer participated in the ceremony along with representatives of the Transit Center and staff of the recipient facilities.
According to DCM Griesmer, “It is our hope that this equipment will support healthy lives and futures in the Kyrgyz Republic. This last distribution of humanitarian aid is a message of good will from the Transit Center at Manas – and the people of the United States – to the people of the Kyrgyz Republic. Although the Transit Center is closing, the U.S. Government’s support for the health sector will continue, as will our strong partnership with the Ministry of Health.”
The equipment will be distributed to seven hospitals that provide emergency care services in Bishkek and the Chui Region: National Hospital, National Surgery Center, Chui Regional Hospital, Sokuluk TB Hospital, Bishkek Children Emergency Care Unit, Bishkek Maternity Ward Number Two, and the Bishkek Perinatal Center. All of the equipment was purchased specifically for this program according to requests from the Ministry of Health.
The Transit Center at Manas has collaborated with the Ministry of Health since 2001. Highlights of the partnership include renovation of primary health care facilities in Lesnoye and Nizhne-Chuisk villages, donation of furniture to regional TB hospitals, installation of insulated windows at Bishkek Perinatal Center, other donations of medical equipment, and assistance to the Ministry with medical equipment maintenance. The United States will continue to assist the Ministry of Health, with a particular focus on the fight against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
