Due to the sharp increase in the number of infectious diseases in Kyrgyzstan, the Hotline 118 service urges citizens to seek primary medical care.

To date, Hotline 118 operates in 4 call centers in Bishkek, every day from 09.00 to 18.00. Thanks to financial and technical support from the Korean Agency for International Cooperation (KOICA), the United Nations Development Program in Kyrgyzstan (UNDP) and the Soros-Kyrgyzstan Foundation. The Soros-Kyrgyzstan Foundation has equipped the service with the necessary equipment and trained a team of specialists.

Hotline 118 has significantly unloaded Bishkek hospitals. According to statistics, only 10% of those who apply to the hospital are then hospitalized. Many stay in the hospital for only 1-2 days, then they are discharged. By calling the hotline, the patient can stay at home and receive outpatient treatment.

The line receives up to 40-60 calls a day. After hearing the advice of a specialist, patients receive psychological help first of all, getting rid of stress. Then the operators advise which medications to take, and which ones are better to give up and not self-medicate.

Bishkek residents will be able to contact the hotline to receive the following assistance:

•Primary medical consultation on infectious diseases, ARVI, COVID-19 and other diseases;

•Conducting a rapid clinical assessment of the patient's condition online and providing recommendations if necessary;

•Also, the service provides working information on family doctors and their work schedule.