HCI equips Kyrgyz Focal Points across the country

25-02-2010

As a part of its programme activities in Kyrgyzstan, Health Connections International (HCI) has just completed the delivery of IT equipment to its 12 Focal Points across the country. Along with the delivery of PCs and other equipment necessary for the project, 10 of these Focal Points have already also been connected to the Internet and are now ready to fully engage in programme activities. With the delivery of the equipment and successful connections established, these Focal Points will serve as the primary points of contact for healthcare professionals across the country wishing to take advantage of the ‘Health Connections Project’.

In December 2009, with the purchase of the IT equipment, HCI and its in-country partner the National Red Crescent Society of the Kyrgyz Republic initiated negotiations with KyrgyzTelecom to garner ADSL connections for each of the Focal Point locations at a discounted rate. These negotiations culminated in the signing of a contract between KyrgyzTelecom and the National Red Crescent Society on 11 December 2009.

HCI is quite pleased with the entire process that included the purchase, delivery and connection at each Focal Point. Aziza Jienbekova, HCI’s Country Liaison Co-ordinator in Kyrgyzstan, commented, ‘We managed to synchronise our own activity with the regional KyrgyzTelecom offices, and they established the ADSL connections to the Focal Points simultaneously or soon after the equipment deliver’.

Currently, 10 Focal Points are successfully fully functioning, with an additional 2 facilities (in Kara Balta and Issyk Kul) awaiting their ADSL connections. HCI’s Focal Points are situated in the following cities and oblasts across Kyrygzstan: Bishkek (2); Kara Balta and Kant in Chui Oblast; Talas in Talas Oblast; Naryn in Naryn Oblast; Kyzyl Suu in Issyk Kul Oblast; Jalalabat in Jalalabat Oblast; Kyzyl Klya in Batken Oblast; and Kara Suu, Nookat and Osh City in Osh Oblast.

HCI is proud of this milestone and looks forward to working with all of the individual centres and facilities hosting each of its Focal Points across Kyrgyzstan.