What began as a coincidence eventually became a calling. 

"The work is not easy and demands great emotional dedication. But the gratitude of the people and the knowledge that you were able to help give it a special value." 

Aidana views her personal experience not as a limitation, but as a source of unique empathy. 

"As a person with a disability, I deeply understand the worries and challenges of the people who come to us." 

One of her most difficult professional trials was conducting medical-social evaluations for individuals in detention. Initially, this work caused internal tension—closed-type institutions felt unfamiliar and psychologically challenging. Over time, however, she gained a different perspective. 

"First and foremost, they are people who also have the right to medical and social assistance. Our task is to objectively evaluate a person’s state of health, regardless of their life circumstances." 

Conducting medical-social evaluations in places of detention carries significant practical importance. Establishing disability status allows the system to accommodate a person’s health needs, ensuring they receive necessary treatment, medical supervision, and support while serving their sentence. Upon release, it also enables them to receive timely social benefits, undergo rehabilitation, and access other state support measures provided by law. For many, this becomes a vital foundation on the path back to a full life. 

By ratifying the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and implementing the "Accessible Country" state program, the Kyrgyz Republic is consistently strengthening its system for protecting the rights of people with disabilities—in line with national priorities set out in the National Development Program of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2030. UNDP supports the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republican Center for Medical-Social Expertise in fulfilling these obligations by improving legislation, strengthening the capacity of state institutions, and developing the professional competencies of specialists. 

For Aidana herself, this work is more than just a profession. 

"For the people, it is confirmation that their rights are preserved regardless of life circumstances. For the system, it is a step toward a more humane and just approach. And for me, it is an important professional and life lesson: it helped me deeply understand the value of respecting people and the necessity of maintaining objectivity and humanity in our work." 

Behind every medical decision is a human being. And a fair system begins with respecting their dignity. 

This material was prepared within the framework of the UNDP and MFA Finland project "Strengthening Human Rights and Equal Access to Justice in the Kyrgyz Republic."