On behalf of the Government of India, Ambassador of India to Tajikistan, H.E Mr. Viraj Singh, handed over the India-Tajikistan Friendship Hospital (ITFH) to Deputy Defense Minister of Tajikistan, H.E. Major-General Abdusattor Shohiyon on June 11, says press release issued by the Indian Embassy in Dushanbe.

The entire complement of medical equipment, medicines, stores and support equipment, including an Operation Theatre, X-Ray machines, laboratories, critical care ambulances and administrative vehicles were reportedly also handed over to the Tajik side.

It may be recalled that ITFH was renovated by Government of India and inaugurated in October 2014 based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between both sides in January, 2013.  This fully-fledged 50-bedded hospital has rendered free-of-cost valuable medical services for the last 8 years to the Armed Forces and civilian populace of Tajikistan based on technical support and financial assistance from Government of India.

Presently, the ITFH has an array of medical specialties including ENT, Surgery, Gynecology, Medicine, Pediatrics and Dental departments.  It has provided medical support to more than 100,000 patients over these years including more than 2000 surgeries over the past 2 years.  A team of Indian Army doctors and medical staff have provided various medical services to Tajik nationals and simultaneously trained numerous Tajik doctors and medical staff.  Over 42 tons of ‘Made in India’ medicines have been sent to ITFH over the past eight years.

Apart from the ITFH, Government of India has also provided medical support in other forms to Tajikistan. India provided 2 million doses of oral polio vaccine through UNICEF in 2010 after the outbreak of Polio in south-west Tajikistan.  In March 2018, India gifted 10 ambulances to various regions of Tajikistan.  In May 2020, India provided 50,000 HCQ tablets and 100,000 paracetamol tablets to Tajikistan.  In 2021, approximately 700,000 ‘Made in India’ Covishield vaccines were supplied to Tajikistan, according to the press release.

The Indian Embassy has every confidence and hope that the Tajik side will continue to run the hospital effectively and efficiently with the capacities created by India.  The ITFH will continue to be a symbol of the close and friendly relations between India and Tajikistan.