“Health” (AKIpress) – Deputy Minister of Health Nurbek Bukuev told AKIpress the results of an inspection conducted by a Ministry of Health commission after the death of children at the Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation.
According to Bukuev, most of the children had severe developmental defects incompatible with life. Some children underwent surgery. He also noted that the surgical team saved several children’s lives even with severe defects.
“Medical assistance was provided. One child, in my opinion, did not even have time to receive help due to the severity of his condition. The rest were given help, but medicine can’t save you in all cases,” Bukuev said.
Based on the results of the audit, the director of the center, Zhalil Sheishenov, resigned of his own free will. An acting director has now been appointed, and the Ministry of Health is considering new candidates for the position of director.
Deputy Minister Nurbek Bukuev informed that among the identified problems there were also organizational omissions during the repair of the building after the fire. “The work was not completed for objective and subjective reasons. The institute’s staff was recommended to unite around a common goal – saving the lives of patients and serving the people,” he said.
What happened?
At the end of September 2026, the deputy director of the Research Institute of Heart Surgery and Organ Transplantation, Dolon Zaripov, reported that 33 children had died at the institute in nine months. During the same period last year, 18 children died. After this, the employees asked to check the work of the management, and the Ministry of Health started an internal investigation.
What did the director of the institute say?
The then director of NIIHSTO Zhalil Sheishenov reported by AKIpressthat 26 out of 33 children died after surgery, another 7 did not make it to surgery. According to him, the children were admitted in serious condition, and operations were carried out for life-saving reasons.
Sheishenov also stated the need for systemic changes, including the development of specialized care in the regions and the training of medical teams.
What did the Cabinet of Ministers say?
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Ulan Mamatkanov previously met with the staff of the institute and criticized the management for delaying the repair of the building after the fire, insufficiently prompt decision-making and weak control over the execution of instructions.
What is known about the fire?
On February 11, 2025, a fire occurred at the institute. 260 people were evacuated from the building, including 216 patients. Two children who were on ventilators after operations died. Another 9 people were poisoned by carbon monoxide, 31 serious patients were transferred to other hospitals.
After the fire, the building was closed for major renovations, and planned operations were temporarily moved to other medical institutions.
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