Doctors in Tajikistan discuss the benefits of private medical practices. Credit: EFCA
According to the World Health Organization, government spending on healthcare in Tajikistan fell dramatically after the country’s independence. Not surprisingly, this reduction has had a decidedly negative impact on the quality of medical services available to the public. Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) is working to offer citizens an alternative to the national healthcare system by promoting private medical practices.
As part of this initiative, The World of Healthy Children Public Association is implementing a private medicine program with support from EFCA and USAID. In August, the Association organized a roundtable for doctors in the town of Isfara, where participants raised concerns about the general health of the population. Participants also discussed how private medicine would lead to an improvement in the quality of local medical services. The Association also conducted a two-day training seminar on effective management practices for nearly 100 doctors and medical personnel. Local government representatives have shown their interest in the program by actively participating in these events.
Through its work in Isfara, The World of Healthy Children Public Association has begun to raise local awareness of the benefits of private medical practices. As the program continues, the Association will conduct two surveys assessing the quality of medical services in the region and publish a how-to manual—in both Tajik and Russian—for doctors seeking to open their own clinics.
