Dilemma for the seriously ill

A woman with cancer asks for oncology drugs to a pharmacist in a pharmacy in Bishkek, on July 23, 2025. Like many people affected by serious illness in ex-Soviet Central Asia, Almagul Ibrayeva is having trouble finding medicine in her native Kyrgyzstan. The shortages, the high prices and the poor quality of medicine affect many of the region's 80 million inhabitants. (Photo by VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO / AFP)

LIKE many people affected by serious illnesses in ex-Soviet Central Asia, Almagul Ibrayeva is having trouble finding medicine in her native Kyrgyzstan.

“Women are dying because of a lack of medicine,” said Ibrayeva, who is in her 50s.