DUSHANBE, June 29, Asia-Plus - Today, the UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan is handing over a bulk of medical aid to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health.

Ulughbek Aminov, the UNDP Dushanbe Office specialist for international ties, has told Asia-Plus that the aid is provided within the framework of the implementation of grant provided by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund).  The assistance include medicines, office equipment, including six computers, and furniture, as well as seven vehicles for a total amount of some US$200,000, according to him.  

The source in the Health Ministry said, “This aid is handed over for the purpose of strengthening work of national service for combating tropic diseases, particularly malaria, in Tajikistan.”  Taking into account topicality of the malaria problem in Tajikistan, the National Coordinating Committee for Combating AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in May 2005 submitted a project proposal that was approved by the Global Fund, the Health Ministry source said, adding that a total amount of grant awarded for this program amounted to some US$5.3 million.

The main objective of this program designed for five years is in preventing fatalities and reducing malaria rate and socioeconomic losses caused by malaria through progressive strengthening of opportunities and abilities of the national medical service and mobilization of the public.   

“Award of the grant for combating malaria will create conditions to support national efforts to control infectious diseases because our country in 1997 pledged itself to reduce burden of malaria and worked out the National Program to Combat Malaria in the republic,” Mr. Aminov said.  

In near future, the UNDP Country Office intends to support the National Service for Combating Tropic Diseases by appropriate insecticides.  Besides, the UNDP Country Office will provide funds to conduct a series of seminars for medical workers and provide assistance in combating mosquito grubs.