DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, August 15. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a $30 million grant aimed at bolstering maternal and child healthcare services in three districts of Tajikistan: Ayni, Dangara, and Darvoz, TurkicWorld reports.
ADB’s Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov, highlighted the significance of this initiative, noting that while Tajikistan has made remarkable strides in health outcomes over the past two decades - such as increased life expectancy and a significant reduction in maternal mortality—disparities in access and quality of healthcare still persist based on geography and socioeconomic status. "This needs to change," said Zhukov, emphasizing that ADB’s support will focus on enhancing healthcare facilities and staff capacities in these districts.
The project includes the construction of modern healthcare facilities: a 40-bed maternity hospital in Ayni, an 80-bed maternity hospital in Dangara, and a 100-bed central district hospital in Darvoz. These facilities will feature climate-friendly technologies, including energy-efficient medical, heating, and cooling systems. A digital asset management system (OpenMEDIS) will be implemented to ensure proper inventory and maintenance of medical equipment, with staff receiving the necessary training to operate it.
To further improve healthcare delivery, the project will enhance the management and training of health workers, refine tools and processes for perinatal services, and pilot case-based financing to streamline hospital funding mechanisms. Additionally, outreach initiatives will be launched to raise awareness and encourage the use of maternal and child healthcare services.
This latest project builds on ADB’s ongoing efforts in Tajikistan, complementing a $32 million grant approved in 2018 for the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Care project, which has been instrumental in improving healthcare services in the Fayzobod, Rasht, and Shamsiddin Shohin districts.
Since joining ADB in 1998, Tajikistan has received more than $2.6 billion in assistance, including over $2 billion in grants, supporting a broad range of sectors such as strategic road and energy infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, urban development, public sector management, and finance.
