DUSHANBE, February 19, Asia-Plus – Visiting World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, Dr. Marc Danzon, today met with President Emomali Rahmon to discuss the situation that had emerged in the country’s health sector in connection with ongoing energy crisis and severe electricity shortages.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Rahmon, Dr. Danzon called the present situation in the country’s health sector critical.
He noted that international community would provide assistance to Tajikistan with stabilizing the situation within the next few months.
The regional director also pointed to the necessity of reforming Tajikistan’s health sector both in medium-term and long-term perspective. “We will support the country’s efforts to improve public health,” Dr Danzon said.
Stating commitments of WHO, he noted that they would be fulfilled in three directions: 1) providing assistance to medical facilities; creating good information system of monitoring and assessment; and 3) providing medicines.
Asked about the volume of assistance that is supposed to arrive in the country, Mr. Danzon noted that it is necessary to assess actual needs and determine funds required for this aid. “I will give concrete figures during my next visit,” the WHO regional director for Europe said.
We will recall that Dr. Danzon arrived in Tajikistan yesterday for a four-day working visit. During his stay in Tajikistan, the WHO regional director for Europe is also scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi tomorrow.
On Wednesday, Mr. Danzon is also expected to give a news conference in Dushanbe on the situation that emerged in the country’s health sector in connection with the energy crisis and electricity shortages.
Yesterday, the WHO regional director for Europe held talks with Health Minister Nusratullo Salimov. Urgent needs of public health in connection with the power crisis were among major topics of the meeting.
