As part of the Strengthening Health Systems to Reduce Lead Exposure project, specialists from the National Institute of Public Health under the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic are being trained in the use of modern Leadcare 2 equipment, which allows determining the concentration of lead in the blood within three minutes.
A total of 6 such portable test kits, designed to conduct rapid and accurate analyses, were delivered to Kyrgyzstan. After completing the training, specialists will be able to promptly diagnose lead intoxication in children, which will speed up the adoption of preventive measures.
21 communities and approximately 1,200 children aged 1 to 6 years were selected for the study. Initially, testing will be conducted in Family Medicine Centers in Bishkek, where preschool-aged children will be examined. After testing is completed in the capital, research teams will travel to the regions to expand coverage and ensure access to the necessary tests for all children in Kyrgyzstan selected as part of the study.
This study is being conducted as part of the Strengthening Health Systems to Reduce Lead Exposure project, and is possible thanks to a tripartite memorandum between the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Pure Earth and ECOIS-Bishkek.
The project is being implemented under the overall coordination of Pure Earth in partnership with the Public Association “ECOIS-Bishkek”, with financial support from the pharmaceutical company Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.
This post has been translated into English and can be accessed in Russian here.
