KHOROG, November 15, Asia-Plus  -- Gorno Badakhshan is experiencing serious shortage of medical workers.

The GBAO health directorate head Ukutanbek Temourbekov told Asia-Plus that medical facilities in the region now have 325 physicians’ vacancies.  According to him, the medical facilities in Gorno Badakhshan are provided with physicians for not more than 50 percent.   

The most serious situation is in Murgab, Roshtqala and Darvoz districts.  “According to list of members of staff, the Murgab district should have 45 physicians, while at present only 10 physicians are working in the district.” 

According to him, medical facilities in Gorno Badakhshan are experiencing an acute shortage of surgeons, oncologists, psychiatrists, etc.  

Every year, some 20-30 young people from Gorno Badakhshan graduate from Tajik Medical University in Dushanbe, but the majority of them do not want to work in the region because of law wages and social problems. 

“Thus, 21 residents of Gorno Badakhshan graduated from Tajik Medical University this year; however, only 9 of them returned to the region ,” Temourbekov said.