DUSHANBE, February 14, Asia-Plus  -- $1.5 million are needed to ensure regular work of medical facilities hit by ongoing energy crisis and severe electricity shortages, Shamsiddin Qurbonov, an official with the Ministry of Health (MoH), told Asia-Plus on Thursday.  

According to him, more than 3,400 different medical facilities now function in Tajikistan.  “The country’s main hospitals and maternity houses currently have totaling 317 generators,” said Qurbonov, “However, we need additional 73 generators.”  “Moreover, to keep 317 generators operational during the next ten days we need 174 tons of diesel fuel.” 

            The health official further added that “strategic sites” of the health sector include maternal houses, emergency hospitals, children’s departments at hospitals, as well as departments of surgical emergency and resuscitation units, “which should receive regular power supplies.”