According to the ministry’s press center, the equipment was purchased through a World Bank project using grant funds.

Health Minister Damir Osmonov noted that the safe handling of medical waste is an important element of a modern healthcare system and is directly linked to protecting the health of the population, healthcare workers, and the environment.

The purchased FOTON vehicles are designed exclusively for transporting medical waste and meet modern sanitary and biological safety requirements. They feature a sealed body, a refrigeration unit, a hydraulic liftgate, a secure container locking system, special «Medical Waste» markings, and a biohazard symbol.

The vehicles are equipped with an internal disinfection system, providing an additional level of sanitary safety during the transportation of medical waste. Ten healthcare organizations designated as regional hubs for the collection and transportation of medical waste received specialized vehicles. These included institutions in Chui, Issyk-Kul, Naryn, Talas, Osh, Jalal-Abad, and Batken regions.

The distribution of the vehicles was based on an analysis of the volume of medical waste generated, the population served, and the territorial coverage of the primary healthcare organizations.

The use of the new specialized vehicles is expected to improve the collection, temporary storage, and transportation of medical waste, strengthen coordination between healthcare organizations, reduce epidemiological and environmental risks, and enhance infection control and sanitary safety in the republic’s regions.