The current population of Kyrgyzstan is estimated at 5,081,429 (July 2004). It is reported that roughly 40% of this number live below the poverty line and 65% of the Kyrgyz population live in the rural areas.

For people living in villages, their first point of contact with the medical system is the Feldscher/Midwife Medical Post (FAP). Feldschers are medical workers whose qualification is between that of a nurse and a doctor. They work either in a FAP or on an ambulance.

There are more than 800 villages and around 60 rural ambulance stations where there are only Feldschers giving medical care. Most of them have little or no continuing education. Research on FAP-Feldschers’ education and work, conducted by STLI and other organizations, has revealed a very low level of knowledge, lack of information and resources.

In response to the request of people from the Minister of Health in Kyrgyzstan, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) staff from the UK and Switzerland, investigated the possibilities of development within the emergency care system. As a result of this, the Emergency Medical Service Training (EMST) Program was developed. The program is focusing on the reform of the training of Feldschers in the rural areas, with particular focus on the oblasts (states) in the northern part of Kyrgyzstan.

The EMST team seeks to raise the standard of Emergency Care in the rural communities of Kyrgyzstan by developing a training curriculum to meet the needs of rural Feldschers working in FAPs and on ambulances. The program, in consultation with local staff, is also focusing on equipment needs and gives recommendations in this area.

It is planned that the project will be long term, working towards a position where the curriculum and training will be solely managed by local staff. The World Bank and USAID are supporting the necessity to retrain the Feldschers and therefore have agreed to fund part of the project.