In a report released at a news conference in Dushanbe, the Minister of Health and Social Protection of the Population, Jamoliddin Abdullozoda, revealed on July 27 that Tajikistan now has 4,300 health care vacancies, including 2,960 doctor vacancies and 1,340 nursing vacancies. 

According to him, 674 doctors and 1,350 nurses have left the country over the first six months of this year.  

The minister says many health workers have left the country because some countries experiencing shortage of health workers offer beneficial programs to attract doctors.

The minister makes this statement as many Tajik physicians have left for Russia for permanent residence.

“Doctors are in short supply everywhere, and therefore, some countries develop special programs, create incentives to attract specialists from other countries," Abdullozoda said. 

He further noted that they plan to solve the problem of shortage of health workers at the expense of graduates of medical universities and colleges. 

“This year, more than 2,000 graduates of medical universities must get to work.  As far as the shortage of nurses is concerned, almost 3,500 graduates of medical colleges will receive nursing diplomas this year,” the minister noted.