In Tajikistan, two-thirds of all health costs are paid out-of-pocket. These expenses are often a huge financial burden on households and can push poor and vulnerable populations further into poverty. As a result, many people abstain or delay a visit to the doctor, which may aggravate their health problems.

However, the government of Tajikistan aims to implement a new health strategy which will make healthcare more accessible and affordable, even in remote areas of the mountainous country. The new national health strategy includes plans to (partially) cover the costs of basic health care for the poorest segments of the population. There is also a need to significantly increase the overall budget for health in Tajikistan, to fund essential personnel, medical equipment, and the upkeep of health facilities. Furthermore, there is a need to strengthen Primary Health Care, ensuring first-line health care services and essential medicines are available to anyone at any time.

To successfully implement the new national health strategy in Tajikistan, a strong public system is essential. Strong institutions and efficient financing mechanisms provide the foundation for a well-functioning health system. This includes capturing essential health and using this information to effectively plan and budget for health services, ensuring the most efficient use of limited resources.

As the leading organization in health, WHO strengthens the governance and financing of health care in Tajikistan. This includes supporting the government to better manage health emergencies such as COVID-19; increase and make better use of resources for health; and to ensure health services are organized more efficiently. Moreover, WHO supports the Government of Tajikistan to significantly reduce the financial burden of health care, especially for the poorest households.

WHO carries out this important work as part of a programme funded by the European Union. WHO is one of the three implementing partners of the Health Development Programme, together with the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. This strategic partnership brings together a wealth of expertise and experience. This EU programme therefore plays an important role in Tajikistan’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage.