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Background: After the acute period from SARS-CoV-2 infection, many COVID-19 survivors continue to have ongoing symptoms. There is a need to render assistance to such COVID-19 survivors in Kyrgyzstan but it is unclear how support should be designed. This study aimed to examine what this support should look like, specifically the persisting post-COVID symptoms, views on the optimal timing, suitable delivery methods, content of the support, and obstacles to implementation. Methods: This study was conducted by using two cross-sectional online surveys in the Russian language. The first group included clinical workers of various specialties who worked in the places of treatment for patients with COVID-19. The second group consisted of patients aged ≥18 years who had recovered from COVID-19 who were recruited from family medicine centers using the database of COVID-19 survivors. The survey was conducted anonymously and voluntarily, and consisted of 16 questions. Results: 85 clinical workers and 132 COVID-19 survivors took part in the survey. COVID-19 survivors reported they would be willing to devote 1-3 sessions per a week (84%) with a duration of no more than 1 hour (90%) to post-COVID interventions. Respondents identified the Internet (43%) and separate smartphone applications (42%) as the best media via which to receive support at home. The greatest barrier to accepting help was the risk of re-infection (43%). According to clinical workers, the main goal of post-COVID-19 support should be the amelioration of breathing problems (70%), increased physical exercise (57%) and elements of psychological support (57%). Clinical workers reported that support should begin during treatment for COVID-19 (65%), or immediately after returning from the hospital (59%). Respondents stated that it would be better to carry out support at home via video conference (65%), or by means of telephone calls (47%). The cost of treatment (47%) and the individual’s employment at work (43%) were deemed potential barriers to COVID-19 survivors participating in support interventions.Conclusions: Clinical workers and COVID-19 survivors deemed post-COVID-19 support necessary. Our results will directly inform the development and delivery of post-COVID support interventions in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, in combination with the views and needs identified directly from people with persisting post-COVID symptoms.

Inhaled medication is essential to control asthma and COPD, but availability and proper adherence are challenges in low-middle income countries (LMIC). Data on medication availability and adherence in Central Asia are lacking. We aimed to investigate the availability of respiratory medication and the extent of financially driven non-adherence in patients with COPD and asthma in Kyrgyzstan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in two regions of Kyrgyzstan. Patients with a physician- and spirometry confirmed diagnosis of asthma and/or COPD were included. The main outcomes were (1) availability of respiratory medication in hospitals and pharmacies, assessed by a survey, and (2) medication adherence, assessed by the Test of Adherence to Inhalers (TAI). Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors for adherence. Of the 300 participants (COPD: 264; asthma: 36), 68.9% were buying respiratory medication out-of-pocket. Of all patients visiting the hospital, almost half reported medication not being available. In pharmacies, this was 8%. Poor adherence prevailed over intermediate and good adherence (80.7% vs. 12.0% and 7.3%, respectively). Deliberate and erratic non-adherence behavior patterns were the most frequent (89.7% and 88.0%), followed by an unconscious non-adherent behavioral pattern (31.3%). In total, 68.3% reported a financial reason as a barrier to proper adherence. Low BMI was the only factor significantly associated with good adherence. In this LMIC population, poor medication availability was common and 80% were poorly adherent. Erratic and deliberate non-adherent behaviors were the most common pattern and financial barriers play a role in over two-thirds of the population.