Dushanbe to host WHO European School on quality of care and patient safety

WHO/Europe, through its Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety in Athens, will convene the WHO European School on Quality of Care and Patient Safety – Central Asia Special Edition from 20 to 24 July 2026 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

The School is organized in collaboration with the WHO Collaborating Centre for Education, Research and Evaluation of Safety and Quality in Healthcare at the National School of Public Health of NOVA University Lisbon, with support from the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population of Tajikistan and WHO Country Office in Tajikistan.

The Central Asia Special Edition 2026 responds to growing demand from countries across Central Asia and the Commonwealth of Independent Sates for a tailored platform to address shared health system challenges. It is aligned with the WHO European Programme of Work (EPW 2.0) and the forthcoming Central Asia Roadmap for Health and Well-being (2026-2030). 

This five-day programme offers a comprehensive and immersive learning experience, combining strategic dialogue, technical insights and practical application to strengthen capacity for quality of care and patient safety. Over 45 delegates from 8 countries are participating in the given School.

Participants will benefit from high-level perspectives and global expertise, policy dialogue and regional exchange, hands-on improving healthcare simulation exercise, practical tools and methods and networking and peer exchange. More than 45 delegates from 8 countries are participating in the event.

By combining evidence-informed approaches with practical tools, leadership development and cross-country exchange, the School will support participating countries in translating quality-of-care and patient-safety principles into policies and practices that deliver measurable improvements for patients, families and communities.

As the Minister of health and social protection of population of Tajikistan Dr. Abdullozoda Jamoliddin Abdullo highlighted in his opening that this year is particularly meaningful for Tajikistan as our country marks the 35th anniversary of State Independence. Over the past three and a half decades, Tajikistan has made significant progress in strengthening its health system and expanding access to essential health services for its population. It is therefore a source of great pride that Tajikistan is hosting the first-ever Central Asia Special Edition of the WHO European Region School on Quality of Care and Patient Safety. He hoped that this inaugural edition will become a lasting regional platform for learning and collaboration and that future editions will be hosted by other countries in Central Asia, further strengthening regional cooperation and collective progress toward better health outcomes for all.

The Director of the Prevention and Health Promotion Division of the WHO Regional Office for Europe Dr. Gundo Weiler further added that this School is more than a training programme. It is a platform for shared learning, collaboration and leadership development, responding to the common challenges faced by the health systems across Central Asia and beyond. Across our region, we know that improving quality of care and patient safety are essential to achieving better health outcomes. But they are not only technical goals- they are commitments to people we serve. Commitments to deliver care that is safe, effective and people- centered.

The working languages of the School will be English and Russian.