In the fall of 2006, the Soros Foundation–Kyrgyzstan and the Sexual Health and Rights Project commissioned qualitative research on the opportunities and barriers to health care access for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in Kyrgyzstan. Access to Health Care for LGBT People in Kyrgyzstan explores possibilities for increasing LGBT access to health services; maps current NGOs working on LGBT health and human rights issues; highlights Kyrgyzstan’s obligations to provide health care to LGBT persons in accordance with international standards and laws; and articulates recommendations for the development of nondiscriminatory health systems and services to improve LGBT health access.

In order to improve the quality of health care services for LGBT people and ensure that necessary treatment is accessible to everyone, this report recommends training medical personnel about LGBT health needs, educating LGBT people about the importance of receiving proper treatment and screening, and expanding legal protections for LGBT people as citizens and patients.