DUSHANBE, June 24, 2011, Asia-Plus — On Thursday June 23, United States Ambassador Ken Gross, First Deputy Minister of Health Saida Jobirova, and Head of Vahdat Hukumat A. Qodirov marked the launch of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Quality Health Care Project in Tajikistan and the opening of a Center of Excellence in Vahdat Health Center #1.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, during the ceremony Ambassador Gross noted, “Supported by the USAID Quality Health Care Project, the Center of Excellence in Vahdat is an example of an integrated primary health care model, which is accessible and cost effective for the population. The center will combine training and provision of high quality medical services”.
The Vahdat Center of Excellence, like others supported by USAID in Konibodom, Istaravshan, Panjakent, and Dushanbe, will help to improve health care in Tajikistan by providing quality health care services and developing highly trained health care providers who will go on to provide quality care in their own facilities. The success of these centers has led the Swiss Development Corporation and the Aga Khan Health Network to adopt this health care model for their projects in Tajikistan.
The USAID Quality Health Care Project is a five-year program to improve health in Central Asia by incorporating modern quality improvement techniques and evidence-based international standards. The project also introduces health care system reforms in Central Asian countries to improve management, financing, and implementation of health services related to tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and cardiovascular disease.
The USAID Quality Health Care Project will support the implementation of many components of the recently approved national health sector strategy and action plan. It will also work with local and international partners, including the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, to build a foundation for strengthening health care functions and improving quality.
The USAID Quality Health Care Project is one of many assistance projects in Tajikistan provided by the U.S. Government. Since 1992, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has provided about $984 million in programs that support Tajikistan’s democratic institutions, health care, education, and economic growth.
