Progress in Osh Despite Challenges Even with a smaller team, vital exchange continued—showing impressive development in the local team, the clinic, and patient care.
In April 2026, contrary to plan, only two of us travelled to Osh. Due to the current world situation, speech therapist Sabine Peters and surgeon Tine Jacobson had to cancel their participation at short notice. This made it all the more important for us to maintain contact on site, where visible and tangible changes awaited us. Osh is developing rapidly: the city’s former charm is increasingly giving way to a modern cityscape with wide boulevards and new infrastructure. The Oblast hospital is also undergoing
changes. The renovated façade and new windows give the former Soviet building acompletely new look.
Even more impressive than the construction progress, however, is the development within the clinic. The cleft team – Danijar, Nursultan and Asamat – welcomed us warmly and were well prepared. The
past few years have left their mark: the collaboration is bearing fruit, the team works independently, professionally and with great commitment. At the same time, the importance of ongoing professional dialogue is clear. Local speech therapist Saida would have very much liked a direct exchange – there is still a
great need for further development and new therapeutic approaches. It is therefore all the more pleasing that knowledge already imparted, such as scar massage, is firmly anchored in everyday life. We were particularly impressed by the work of Samara, the senior assistant. She takes great care to ensure that
the clinic is structured, clean and well-organised – to a level that goes far beyond the expected. Materials are kept neatly, and equipment is well maintained and ready for use.
The importance of the clinic is also reflected in the large number of patients: the waiting room was full. Patients travelled from all over the region – from Bishkek, Issyk-Kul and even from Uzbekistan. For many, Osh has become a central place of hope. Thanks to your support, important new equipment was deployed. The intraoral scanner and the new treatment unit significantly improve diagnostics and treatment options. It was clear how proudly and responsibly they are used. At the same time, the hospital is undergoing extensive renovation. Entire departments are being renewed in order to create better operating conditions in the long term. In discussions with the hospital management it became clear that, in addition to infrastructure, the targeted expansion of medical supplies will also be decisive in future.
The development on the ground is remarkable: initial support has grown into a strong, independent team. Today, the cleft team at Oblast Hospital in Osh is one of the leading teams in the country and has also made a name for itself in Central Asia. This development would not be possible without the support of our donors. You help to ensure that knowledge is passed on, structures are created and affected children and their families receive real perspectives.