Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov speaks during a press conference in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, Dec. 25, 2019. (Photo by Roman/Xinhua)
The Kyrgyz president was critical of the two officials, who were in charge of the country's coronavirus prevention.
BISHKEK, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov has signed decrees removing the country's Vice Prime Minister Altynai Omurbekova and Health Minister Kosmosbek Cholponbaev from office, the president's press service reported Wednesday.
At a meeting of the Security Council on March 31, Jeenbekov criticized the work of the Republican Headquarters on coronavirus prevention and the Ministry of Health for unsatisfactory work in preventing the entry of coronavirus into the country.
He also suggested some members of the Cabinet be punished for their insufficient work.
Photo taken on March 29, 2020 shows an empty road near a square in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. (Photo by Zafar Khalilov/Xinhua)
However, the presidential decrees do not explain why the vice prime minister and the health minister lost their jobs.
Omurbekova and Cholponbaev were appointed to their posts in April 2018.
In January this year, the country established the Republican Headquarters on coronavirus to prevent the spread of COVID-19 into the country, with Omurbekova appointed its head.
According to the Health Ministry, at least 111 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Kyrgyzstan so far. ■
