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, Trend 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.
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