ADB Approves $30M Grant to Boost Maternal and Child Health Services in Tajikistan

In addition to infrastructure development, the project aims to improve the delivery of integrated health services by strengthening the management and training of health workers.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $30 million grant aimed at enhancing maternal and child health care services in the districts of Ayni, Dangara, and Darvoz in Tajikistan. This initiative is part of ADB's ongoing commitment to improving health care access and quality in the country, particularly for underserved regions.

"Tajikistan has made significant strides in health improvements over the last two decades, with increased life expectancy and a marked reduction in maternal mortality," said ADB Director General for Central and West Asia, Yevgeniy Zhukov. "However, disparities in access to quality health care persist, particularly based on geographic location and socioeconomic status. This grant will help bridge these gaps by improving health facilities and enhancing staff capacity in these districts."

The project will focus on the construction and modernization of key health infrastructure, including a 40-bed maternity hospital in Ayni, an 80-bed maternity hospital in Dangara, and a 100-bed central district hospital in Darvoz. These facilities will incorporate climate-friendly features, such as energy-efficient medical, heating, and cooling systems, to ensure sustainability and resilience against climate change.

To support the effective management of these facilities, the project will introduce a digital asset management system known as OpenMEDIS. This system will help in the proper inventory and maintenance of medical equipment, and health workers will be trained to operate it efficiently.

In addition to infrastructure development, the project aims to improve the delivery of integrated health services by strengthening the management and training of health workers. It will also refine tools and processes for perinatal services and pilot case-based financing mechanisms to enhance the efficiency of hospital financing.

The initiative also includes outreach programs to improve maternal and child health knowledge among the population, encouraging greater utilization of health care services.

This $30 million grant supplements an ongoing $32 million ADB grant approved in 2018 for the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Care project. The earlier project is currently helping to improve health care services in the districts of Fayzobod, Rasht, and Shamsiddin Shohin.

Tajikistan has been a member of the ADB since 1998, and over the past 26 years, the bank has provided more than $2.6 billion in assistance, including over $2 billion in grants. ADB's support has spanned multiple sectors, including strategic road and energy infrastructure, health, education, agriculture, urban development, public sector management, and finance.