In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population, Jamoliddin Abdullozoda, revealed on August 5 that Tajikistan now lacks 1,966 doctors and 367 nurses, which 43 doctors and 24 nurses less than in the same period last year.
He noted that:
- There are 154 doctors and 75 nurses missing in Dushanbe;
- There are 720 doctors missing in Khatlon province, the issue of shortage of secondary medical personnel has been resolved;
- 533 doctors and 70 nurses are missing in Sughd province;
- Districts subordinate to the center lack 343 doctors and 147 nurses;
- In the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, or GBAO – 24 doctors and 8 nurses;
- Subordinate hospitals lack 153 doctors and 105 nurses.
Abdullozoda further noted that 37 doctors and 273 nurses have left the country over the first six months of this year.
According to him, not all of them have left the country seeking better employment opportunities. “Most of them have moved to reunite with their husbands left the country for overseas employment,” the minister claimed.
He also noted that the outflow of health workers continues despite salary increases.
”Salaries of medical workers have been increased by 40 percent, and some of them now receive 2,500-3,500 somonis per month. Salaries are being increased to retain doctors and prevent them from leaving abroad,” said the minister. “However, the outflow of medical personnel abroad continues to be a pressing problem and requires additional solutions.”
Meanwhile, last year, he noted during the news conference that the main reason for doctors’ emigration are, first of all, their professional development abroad and the benefits of the host country, including housing, high salaries and benefits for their children.
Speaking at the news conference in Dushanbe on August 5 this year, Abdullozoda also noted that over the first six months of this year, 405 doctors have been hired at medical institutions.
“Over the same six-month period, 272 doctors have resigned of their own free will, 37 others have gone abroad, 22 doctors have retired and 20 others died. As far as nurses are concerned, 1,419 nurses have been hired at medical institutions over the first six months of this year. Over the reporting period, 1,164 nurses resigned of their own will, 81 others retired, 11 nurses died and 273 others went to abroad,” the minister said.
He further added that 68,428 students are currently studying at medical education institutions in Tajikistan. More than 22,000 of them are studying at medical universities.
Meanwhile, experts note that Tajikistan faces several healthcare challenges. There are insufficient health workers. Limited health financing has reportedly stalled continuing medical education opportunities for in-service professionals, resulting in the use of outdated and ineffective clinical practices. This is compounded by geographical imbalances in healthcare resources and financing, contributing to poor maternal, newborn and child health outcomes in rural areas.
