BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 24. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) is implementing a project in Tajikistan with the goal of enhancing the quality of primary health care (PHC) services in the country, a source at the JICA Tajikistan Office told Trend.
“The project specifically focuses on districts and cities within the Khatlon Oblast and the Districts of Republican Subordination (DRS), namely Kushoniyon, Levakant, Rudaki, and Tursunzoda,” the source said.
According to JICA Tajikistan, this project falls under the category of technical cooperation and is scheduled to run from February 2023 to February 2026, with an estimated budget of 400 million Japanese yen ($2.8 million).
The Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population in Tajikistan is responsible for overseeing this initiative.
“The project encompasses a range of activities, including the replacement of outdated medical equipment, the acquisition of new equipment, minor renovations to existing health facilities, and capacity building for healthcare professionals in PHC facilities,” the source at JICA office elaborated.
This capacity strengthening will particularly focus on areas such as maternal and child health care (MCH), nutrition, and non-communicable diseases (NCD). Additionally, the project includes initiatives to raise awareness about effective communication and meaningful community involvement in matters related to MCH care, nutrition, and NCD prevention.
As was noted, the direct beneficiaries of these efforts will be health officials in the health department of Khatlon, DRS, and healthcare workers in PHC facilities. On a broader scale, the secondary beneficiaries will be the population in four districts within the Khatlon region and DRS.
Over the years, JICA has become one of the world's largest bilateral development organizations. It operates through a network of 96 overseas offices and carries out projects in approximately 139 countries and regions.
JICA initially established an office in Tajikistan as a branch of JICA Uzbekistan in 2006 but became an independent JICA office in 2017. In 2022, Japan and Tajikistan celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.