Medical Worker Day is observed in Kyrgyzstan every first Sunday of July. Established in 1993 by President Askar Akayev, the holiday commemorates the adoption of the Health Protection Act and Law on Medical Insurance in 1992. This professional holiday celebrates health professionals and is marked by official ceremonies, concerts, and other festive events. It is a non-working holiday, as it always falls on a weekend, leading to congratulatory messages typically being given on the preceding Friday or occasionally the following Monday. The Ministry of Health coordinates health protection in Kyrgyzstan, which was among the first post-Soviet republics in Central Asia to enact health protection legislation. Despite ongoing health care reforms, the country faces challenges such as a shortage of health professionals and a reliance on imported medicines.