DUSAHNBE, December 21, Asia-Plus - Merlin, international non-government British organization, will mark the tenth anniversary of its activity in Tajikistan on December 22.  

Namik Geidarov, head of the Merlin CO in Tajikistan, said in an interview with Asia-Plus that Merlin has been working in Tajikistan since November 1996, providing assistance to the country’s Ministry of Health in controlling infectious diseases and cooperating with various organizations working in Tajikistan’s health sector.  

In Tajikistan, Merlin has been working mainly in the Khatlon province and Rasht Valley, providing assistance to the most vulnerable sections of the local population, according to him.  

In Khatlon and Rasht Valley regions, Merlin is enhancing the capacity of the health system to control infectious diseases.  Doctors and other medical workers have been trained to diagnosed and monitor infectious diseases and to provide community health education.  Merlin also supports labs by supplying and repairing equipment used to diagnose typhoid, dysentery, brucellosis and malaria and by conducting training for lab staff.  

Merlin also helps in managing natural disasters in these areas.    

“We hope for further fruitful cooperation, and I believe the next year will be quite interesting for Tajikistan’s health sector,” said Geidarov, “” We now implement serious projects jointly with the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization (WHO) to enhance capacity of Tajikistan’s healthcare system.”  

Merlin is the only specialist UK charity which responds worldwide with vital health care and medical relief for vulnerable people caught up in natural disasters, conflict, disease and health system collapse.  Merlin’s vision is of a world that provides basic health care to all, responds immediately to save lives in times of crisis, and looks beyond emergencies to safeguard long term health.  Merlin guided by the humanitarian principle to take all steps possible to prevent or alleviate human suffering wherever it occurs acts regardless of race, religion or political affiliation and make decisions based on independent assessments.  It works in partnership with national and local health agencies, local communities and other organisations.