European Union-Funded Health Development Programme improves access to health in Tajikistan

Dushanbe, 9 December 2025 – Representatives from the Government of Tajikistan, the European Union (EU), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) gathered today the Impact and Sustainability Forum of the Health Development Programme, an event dedicated to showcasing the key achievements and impact of the EU-funded programme, and to discussing how these results can be sustained and built upon in the years ahead.

Launched in 2021, the Health Development Programme has supported national efforts to strengthen the primary health care system. The programme has played an important role in supporting Tajikistan’s progress towards universal health coverage, ensuring that all people have access to the essential health services they need without facing financial hardship. Through three components, implemented by WHO, GIZ and UNICEF, the Programme has strengthened public financing for health, enhanced infection prevention and control, and expanded equitable access to quality primary health services across the country.

At the Impact and Sustainability Forum, the significant achievements of the Health Development Programme were highlighted and demonstrated. The Forum was formally opened by Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population, Zulfia Abdusamatzoda, and Deputy Minister of Finance Parvina Bahromzoda, and H.E. Radoslaw Darski, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Tajikistan. They were joined by the Heads of WHO, GIZ and UNICEF. Their participation underscored the Government’s strong leadership and the continued importance of partnership and coordinated efforts in strengthening Tajikistan’s health system and improving access to health.

Throughout its implementation, the programme has contributed to more effective planning, budgeting and public financial management in the health sector. These improvements support equitable and efficient resource allocation and stronger alignment between budgets and health priorities. The programme supported the development of evidence-based budgeting tools, strengthened capacity for fiscal analysis in the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance, and introduced new mechanisms to promote transparency and accountability. These reforms have created an enabling environment for more strategic investment in primary health care.

Strengthening primary health care (PHC) was a core element of the programme GIZ technical expertise and long-term cooperation with national partners drove improvements in service quality, accessibility, and management at PHC level. GIZ supported the Ministry of Health and Social Protection strengthen PHC through targeted investments in workforce development, infrastructure and facility management, family medicine, integrated HIV and tuberculosis services, a stronger referral system, and reliable access to essential medicines. Key achievements include:

• More than 8,000 health workers received targeted training through courses ranging from one-day workshops to two-year post-university specialty programmes.
• Integrated HIV services have been expanded to 58 PHCs and TB services to 28 PHCs.
• Strengthened referral systems for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus and over 5 million corresponding essential documents distributed.
• Extensive community engagement, supporting 154 health fairs, 650 information sessions, and on-site screenings for 27,478 people.

As a result, more people can access comprehensive, reliable, community-based care closer to home, have improved their health literacy, seek care earlier, and have greater trust in local PHC services.

UNICEF has achieved significant progress in strengthening Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) and advancing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) standards across health care facilities in Tajikistan. Key achievements include the endorsement of the National IPC Strategy and National WASH in HCFs Standards, and the development of a National Investment Case to guide the country toward universal access by 2030. UNICEF equipped 1,500 primary health care facilities and 25 hospital departments with essential sterilization and medical devices, rehabilitated WASH infrastructure in 37 secondary-level facilities, and installed 3,000 handwashing stations along with upgraded waste management systems. To ensure sustainability, 7,600 health workers were trained on IPC protocols and 43 national trainers were certified. Additionally, more than 1.1 million households were reached with vital hygiene and infection prevention messages, contributing to safer and more resilient health services nationwide.

The Impact and Sustainability Forum placed special emphasis on sustainability and continuity. Partners underscored the importance of maintaining and expanding the results achieved, ensuring that strengthened capacities, improved systems, and upgraded infrastructure continue to benefit the population beyond the programme’s funding period. Participants also highlighted the essential role of ongoing collaboration—across Government institutions, development partners and civil society—in carrying forward effective reforms and aligning future support to national priorities.

“This programme shows how coordinated action can deliver lasting improvements in people’s lives,” said H.E. Radoslaw Darski, EU Ambassador. “The European Union is proud to support Tajikistan in strengthening its health system and will continue working closely with national authorities and partners to ensure that these results endure.”

The EU reaffirmed its strong partnership with Tajikistan and its continued support for the country’s broader development priorities. WHO, GIZ and UNICEF emphasized their commitment to working closely with national partners to safeguard the programme’s achievements, promote sustainability, and continue supporting Tajikistan to advance towards universal health coverage.

For further details, please contact:

Mahbuba Abdulloeva, Communications Officer at the European Union Delegation to Tajikistan, at [email protected]