DUSHANBE, January 8, 2013, Asia-Plus -- With the financial support of the European Union, the World Health Organization (WHO) Country office in Tajikistan launched a new project “Technical Assistance in Support of Health Care Reform in Tajikistan” aiming to enhance the health system reform in Tajikistan, press release issued by the Delegation of the European Union to Tajikistan said.

The project is a part of the EU Delegation support to Republic of Tajikistan, namely technical assistance to the health sector to ensure the effectiveness of the health care reforms planned by the Government.

The overall objective of the project is to improve the health status of the population with a focus on the most vulnerable groups through strengthening of the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Health to deliver population based and results orientated service with focus on primary health care.

“WHO is committed to continue the work in the field of health systems strengthening jointly with the Development Partners to support the Ministry of Health in improving the quality, access, equity of health services in line with the National Health Sector Strategy 2010-2020, in particular for building of capacity of the health care reform in the country”– said Dr Pavel Ursu, WHO Representative/Head of WHO Country office in Tajikistan.

“Ensuring better access of the population to the basic health services and improving the financial health protection is the most important fundament in health systems sustainability of the country”- noted Mr. Eduard Auer, Ambassador/ Head of the EU Delegation in Tajikistan.  Within the framework of project implementation it was jointly agreed between the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tajikistan, the World Health Organization and the European Union Delegation, to primarily dedicate the activities in strengthening of primary health care (PHC) and improved health financing modules.

The European Union is made up of 27 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms.  The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.  To this end the EU is active in Tajikistan since 1992 and provides approximately EUR 25 million annually in development assistance.