Date of publication:

01/08/2026

Kyrgyzstan

Do domestic laws and policies provide access to primary health care services for forcibly displaced and stateless persons?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

IDPs
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Stateless persons
Analysis

The Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, being the fundamental law of the state, enshrines in Article 43 the right of every person to health protection and health insurance. Within the framework of this provision, the state undertakes to create conditions for the provision of medical care to everyone and takes measures to develop health care organizations of various forms of ownership.

The Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On the Protection of Health of Citizens in the Kyrgyz Republic" dated January 12, 2024, No. 14 describes in detail the legal, economic, social and medical foundations for ensuring health protection. Its provisions apply to both citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic and foreign citizens, stateless persons permanently or temporarily residing in the country, as well as to all legal entities and individuals whose activities are related to health protection. Article 55 of this law establishes that foreign citizens, stateless persons and refugees have the right to health protection in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic, and the procedure for providing medical care to this category of persons is regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers.

Moreover, in accordance with the Law "On Refugees" dated March 25, 2002, No. 44, Article 6 grants persons applying for recognition as refugees the right to medical care. Similar rights are enshrined in Article 13, which states that refugees have the right to receive medical care on an equal basis with citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic. This right includes access to state and municipal medical institutions.

The Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On Medical Insurance of Citizens in the Kyrgyz Republic" dated October 18, 1999, No. 112 introduces the concept of compulsory medical insurance as a social protection system. Article 4 defines it as a set of measures aimed at providing medical care to insured persons at the expense of compulsory medical insurance. This assistance is provided within the framework of the State Guarantees Program for Providing Citizens with Medical and Sanitary Care, approved by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic dated September 21, 2023, No. 493, which regulates the volume, types and conditions for the provision of medical services.

The state guarantees program provides for the provision of a basic package of medical services free of charge to all persons registered with medical organizations, including citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, refugees and asylum seekers. The basic package of medical services is provided free of charge to all citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic, refugees and asylum seekers in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as to residents of Kairylman registered with general practitioners of the FMC/GPC, upon presentation of a certificate confirming their status. The basic package includes primary health care provided in the FMC and GPC, covers a wide range of services, including prevention, diagnostics and treatment, providing equal opportunities for citizens, refugees and other persons located in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Thus, the Kyrgyz Republic guarantees persons legally located on its territory, including refugees and asylum seekers, equal conditions for access to medical services comparable to the rights of citizens of the country. The main condition for this is participation in the health insurance system, as provided for in Article 43 of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic. This confirms the state's commitment to the principles of equality.

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    The Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Refugees

    Legal provision

    Article 6 - Rights and obligations of a person who has applied for recognition as a refugee

    A person applying for recognition as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic and his family members have the right to: - move freely throughout the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the exception of areas closed to foreign citizens in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - reside in a place of temporary settlement and use public utilities; - use medical care; - to have the Kyrgyz Republic assist in obtaining information about relatives living in the country of citizenship; - to voluntarily return to the country of citizenship; - to leave for a place of residence in a foreign country; - to be provided with judicial protection; - to receive an education; - to receive the services of an interpreter; - to be exempt from paying expenses related to the consideration of an application for refugee status at all stages.

    Article 13 - Rights and obligations of a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic

    A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic enjoys the same rights and bears the same obligations as foreign citizens permanently residing in the Kyrgyz Republic. A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic shall also be granted the rights and obligations of a person applying for refugee status, as stipulated by Article 6 of this Law. A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic and his family members shall have the right to: - reside for three months in a temporary settlement; - choose a settlement from among those proposed by the Authorized Body in which his relatives reside as their place of permanent residence, subject to their consent to cohabitation; - work for hire or engage in entrepreneurial activity in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - acquire real estate under the conditions established for foreign citizens and stateless persons by the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - receive, with the assistance of the relevant state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic, information about property left behind in the state of previous residence; - have the necessary documents proving his identity and travel documents; - to receive medical care on an equal basis with citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic; - to receive administrative assistance when applying to state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic; - to mandatory registration of civil status acts and receipt of relevant documents.

    The Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic

    Legal provision

    Article 43 - Health insurance and medical service guarantees

    1. Everyone has the right to health protection and health insurance. The terms of health insurance are determined by law. 2. The state creates conditions for health care for everyone and takes measures to develop state, municipal, private and other health care organizations. The state creates the necessary conditions for employees of health care organizations and ensures their social protection. 3. Citizens have the right to free use of the network of state health care organizations. Medical care, including care on preferential terms, is carried out at the expense of the state in the amount of state guarantees provided by law. 4. Concealment by officials of facts and circumstances that pose a threat to the life and health of people entails liability established by law. 5. Paid health care for citizens is allowed on the grounds and in the manner established by law.

    The Law of Kyrgyz Republic on the Protection of Citizens' Health

    Legal provision

    Article 55 - Right of foreign citizens, stateless persons and refugees to health protection

    1. Foreign citizens located in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, stateless persons permanently residing in the Kyrgyz Republic, and refugees are guaranteed the right to health protection in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic in the field of health care, basic state and compulsory health insurance and international treaties of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2. The procedure for providing medical and sanitary assistance to foreign citizens, stateless persons and refugees is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers.