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Kyrgyzstan
Health Conditions
The main causes of adult deaths in Kyrgyzstan are, in order of
occurrence, cardiovascular conditions, respiratory infections,
and accidents (see table 5, Appendix). Sexually transmitted diseases
reportedly are very low in incidence; only five cases of acquired
immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) were recorded in 1992. In the
early 1990s, major health hazards have been posed by growing shortages
of chlorine to purify water supplies and the increasing danger
of typhus outbreaks resulting from the closure of most of the
country's public baths. In 1993 Kyrgyzstan suffered increasing
cases of hepatitis and gastrointestinal infections, especially
in the southern provinces of Osh and Jalal-Abad. The cause of
such infections is believed to be the use of open water supplies
contaminated by livestock and improper disposal of waste (see
Environmental Problems, this ch.). Although adults traditionally
consume most of their water in the form of boiled tea, children
have greater access to untreated water and foods.
Additional stress is placed on the population by the rising cost
of food, which has reduced the quality and quantity of most people's
diets. In 1993 meat consumption was reported to have dropped by
20 percent since 1990, intake of milk products by 30 percent,
and consumption of fish (which was imported in the Soviet period)
by 70 percent. The average caloric intake was reported to have
decreased by about 12 percent since 1990. There are also frequent
reports of deaths or injuries caused by tainted or falsely labeled
food and drink, particularly alcoholic beverages, which are widely
sold by extralegal private concerns. The rising cost of energy
has meant insufficient heat for many apartments and public buildings.
Naryn Province, the coldest and most remote part of the country,
has been particularly affected. In that region, many buildings
lack central heating, and residents have been forced to devise
homemade stoves vented directly out the windows. In addition,
the availability and range of ambulance services have been restricted
severely by fuel shortages.
Data as of March 1996
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