Tajikistan is currently experiencing an acute shortage of health workers.

In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population Jamoliddin Abdullozoda revealed on February 12 that Tajikistan now lacks 2,009 doctors and 391 nurses, which is 289 doctors and 184 nurses more than over the last six months of 2023.

He added that:

• There are 49 doctors and 35 nurses missing in Dushanbe;
• There are 778 doctors missing in Khatlon province, the issue of shortage of secondary medical personnel has been resolved;
• 579 doctors and 55 nurses are missing in Sughd region;
• Districts subordinate to the lacks 153 doctors and 105 nurses;
• In the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region - 23 doctors and 6 nurses.

It is to be noted that the minister gave the same figures in early August last year while comparing them with figures provided in 2022. 

When Asia-Plus’s reporter said that the figures are the same provided in summer last year, the minister couldn't answer clearly, just saying that “statistics change day by day.” 

Recall, the minister also said on August 9 last year 70 doctors and 343 nurses left Tajikistan over the first six months of the year.  Earlier he said that 548 doctors and 1,187 medical workers emigrated from Tajikistan in 2022.

Abdullozoda added that the main reason for doctors’ emigration are, first of all, their professional development abroad and the benefits of the host country, including housing, high salaries and benefits for their children.