5.2.10. The development of science is possible through bringing scientific degrees in line with international requirements, creating conditions and facilitating scientific research in accordance with the country's socio-economic priorities, and using scientific achievements in practice. Taking into account economic priorities of the country, the corresponding scientific branches will also develop. 5.3. Health as the basis of Kyrgyzstan's country advantage Current situation 5.3.1. Kyrgyzstan allocates a significant share of the state budget for health care and purposefully improves the quality, accessibility of health services, with a focus on the basic health indicators of the population. The implementation of the comprehensive National Health Reform Program of the Kyrgyz Republic "Den sooluk" for 2012-2018 contributed to improving the indicators of assistance in selected areas and reducing mortality from cardiovascular diseases, maternal, infant and child mortality, as well as the incidence of HIV and tuberculosis. 5.3.2. Since 2014, the Strategy for the Protection and Promotion of Health of the Population of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2020 ("Health 2020") is being implemented. The strategy is aimed at strengthening and supporting the key priority areas identified in the "Den sooluk" Program, as well as strengthening intersectoral cooperation. Also, the Strategy implements actions aimed at ensuring universal access of the population to health services, meeting the needs of socially vulnerable groups (minors, elderly people, people with disabilities, etc.) and involving other sectors in issues of health protection and promotion of the population. 5.3.3. The main mechanism for planning and allocating public financial resources for the provision of medical care, in accordance with the necessary volumes, is the Program of State Guarantees for Providing Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic with Health Care Assistance. The work will continue to improve the State Guarantees Program, in terms of increasing the availability of basic medical services and laboratory research, as well as optimizing the number of population categories receiving medical care on a free and concessional basis. 5.3.4. Despite these and other measures in the health sector, the health and well-being of the Kyrgyz people remains exposed to unacceptably high risks, including due to uneven quality and geographical distribution of the primary care network, limited access to quality medicines, a generally low level of medical infrastructure, specialized and high-tech services due to insufficient human and resource support. Patients and their relatives continue to face everywhere difficult access conditions, inefficient and cumbersome procedures that do not take into account basic human needs. Its role is played by the poor participation of citizens and patients in the promotion of health and public health, and the widespread practice of informal payments for medical services. 35