Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, Dainius Pūras, visited Kyrgyzstan from 22 to 31 May 2018. Kyrgyzstan is in a good position to continue to strengthen its healthrelated policies and services; if it is to retain that position, however, a human rights-based and modern approach to public health will be needed. In a context where there is strong political will, solid policy developments and good pilot practices, the main challenge facing the full realization of the right to physical and mental health in Kyrgyzstan will be effective implementation and sustainability. This challenge is linked to the promotion of transparency and the need to address corrupt and ineffective practices that persist. To do so, the Government should develop a long-term strategy and take ownership of the programmes developed with international cooperation, ensuring their continuation and sustainability with the investment of national resources. Specific challenges that remain include the enjoyment of different sexual and reproductive health rights, discriminatory practices in health-care services, and the need to progressively deinstitutionalize mental health and social welfare services. Civil society should become an equal partner of the Government in these efforts.