High-level government delegation from the Republic of Tajikistan strengthens cooperation with Republic of Türkiye on health system reforms

In Ankara, the delegation meets with high-level representatives of Turkish governmental institutions which are key to the provision of healthcare in the Republic of Türkiye, including the Ministry of Health; Ministry of Labour and Social Security; and the Ministry of Treasury and Finance. The meetings between the Deputy Ministers of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of the Republic of Türkiye will build strategic partnerships between the two countries, supporting the further implementation of the health financing reforms in Tajikistan in line with the National Strategy on Healthcare up to 2030. The delegation also visited multiple primary health care facilities in and near Ankara.

This visit is significant to the health reform agenda of the Republic of Tajikistan. The Republic of Türkiye has extensive experience with health system reforms. Both countries aim to make available essential health services to the entire population, without impoverishing or catastrophic payments: Universal Health Coverage. The exchanges and discussions between the delegation of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of Türkiye will identify best practices as to how to structure health financing, including payment schemes, to achieve this common goal. Primary health care plays a crucial role in any efficient health system and is therefore focused on during the visit.

The delegation includes the Head of the Social Development Department of the Executive Office of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ms. Guljahon Abdufattohzoda; First-Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population Dr. Gafur Mukhsinzoda, Deputy Minister on Economic Development and Trade Ms. Rukhshona Nasriddinzoda, Deputy Minister of Finance Mr. Sarvar Qurboniyon and the Deputy Minister of Labour, Migration and Employment, Mr. Nurullo Mahmadullozoda. Furthermore, the delegation includes representatives from various key departments in each of the abovementioned Ministries, the Agency on Social Insurance and Pensions, and the Finance Departments of Sughd Oblast and Khatlon Oblast. The delegation was supported by representatives from key partner organizations and WHO experts on health financing.

The Turkish development organization Tika in the Republic of Tajikistan provided significant support to the organization of this visit. The high-level visit was made possible as part of the Health Development Programme, funded by the European Union. The European Union is a strong partner of the Republic of Tajikistan and has invested more than 60 million euro to advance towards Universal Health Coverage in the Republic of Tajikistan, in the past decade alone.