Increasing Access to Quality Health Care in Central Asia Through Effective Public-Private Partnerships
March 22, 2016, 06:00
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 18 March 2016 – The University of Central Asia hosted a presentation, on March 17, about an innovative four-way partnership between the Government of Afghanistan, the Government of France, the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) and the French NGO, La Chaîne de l’Espoir. In attendance were representatives of the government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the diplomatic corps, civil society, academia, and other development partners.
The event focused on how this successful public-private partnership established the French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC), a state of the art medical facility in Kabul providing high quality health care in a challenging environment.
In her address, H.E. Roza Otunbayeva, the Former President of the Kyrgyz Republic noted, “The achievements of the FMIC are remarkable. I am very impressed by its ability to attract leading international specialists to partner with their Afghan counterparts to provide sustainable, quality health care. We can all learn from this collaboration to create meaningful bonds across various geographies, institutions, and peoples to improve the quality of life of all the peoples in Central Asia and beyond.”
Dr. Lee Hilling, the Chairman of FMIC and author of the book entitled, “A Place of Miracles: The Story of a Children’s Hospital in Kabul and the People Whose Lives Have Been Changed by It,” presented the history of this not-for-profit hospital, in particular its impact on its patients and the staff running it. “The FMIC responds to the critical need for essential health services in Afghanistan through its medical services as well as its capacity building efforts to create a pool of qualified health professionals across many specialisations. This has been achieved, in large part, due to the commitment of each founding partner to effectively fulfil their respective roles and responsibilities.”
Speaking at the event, H.E. Stephane Catta, Ambassador of France to the Kyrgyz Republic noted, “The FMIC is the result of the efforts of the many men and women, who have contributed to its establishment and operations. While there were some leading French and Afghan nationals, who initiated the idea of a medical facility in Kabul with international standards, the Institute is a result of the private energies of individuals from many countries coupled with the unwavering support of the two government and two civil society founding partners.”
Dr. Amangeldi Murzaliev, Deputy Minister of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, expressed his appreciation for the presentation, as FMIC provided an important model for others in the region to consider and emulate. He also underlined that the Ministry of Health in Kyrgyzstan was undertaking a number of measures to increase access to and improve the quality of services related to maternal and new-born child health in the country, including through public-private partnerships.
Notes:
The French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC) is a not-for-profit hospital in Kabul that provides exemplary healthcare services on par with the best medical institutions in the region. It serves men, women, and children from all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, regardless of ethnicity, religious affiliation, gender, or financial means. During its ten years in operation, more than one million patients have benefitted from the FMIC’s various healthcare services. With the support of the Aga Khan University, the FMIC has also provided advanced medical education to many Afghan physicians and surgeons. For more information, please see: http://www.fmic.org.af
The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), which was founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, is a private, international, non-denominational development organisation. It employs over 80,000 people in over 30 countries. Its agencies address complex development issues, including the provision of quality healthcare and education services, cultural and economic revitalisation, micro-enterprise, entrepreneurship and economic development, the advancement of civil society and the protection of the environment. For more information, please see: www.akdn.org.
For further information please contact:
Adylbek Ismailov
Senior External Relations and Communications Officer
Aga Khan Development Network Representation, Kyrgyz Republic
80, Tynystanov Street, 720053 Bishkek
Tel: +996 312 69 60 24
E-mail: adylbek.ismailov@akdn.org
