2001 Press Releases

U.S. Ambassador Outlines the Importance of Investing in Health Care of Turkmenistan

May 23, 2001

On May 14, 2001, the American International Health Alliance (AIHA), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan (MOHMI), and U.S. partners from state of North Dakota officially opened a model Primary Health Care Training Center at Health House #1 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. During the ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Steven R. Mann made an opening speech. The following is the translation of his speech.

Dear Deputy Minister Sopiyev, Deputy Minister Nazarova, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I would like to welcome you all to the opening of the Family Medicine Training Center. I am very pleased to be here and to see first hand the efforts of the Ministry of Health to strengthen medical education in Turkmenistan. Today’s opening marks a new stage in our joint effort to improve medical education and health care in Turkmenistan through the promotion of family doctors.

First of all, I would like to thank Mr. Sopiyev, First Deputy Minister of Health Care;

Mrs. Akjegul Nazarova, the Deputy Minister for the City of Ashgabat; Mrs. Myakhri Nedirova, Director of the Family Medicine Training Center; Mr. James Smith, Director of American International Health Alliance, who is visiting us from Washington; Dr. Zhamilya Nugmanova, Regional Director of the American International Health Alliance in Central Asia; Dr. Lonna Milburn, Ashgabat-North Dakota Partnership Coordinator; and the American partners ABT Associates, Project Hope, and Counterpart Consortium. Due to everyone’s efforts, the partnership between Turkmen and American professionals is a vibrant and productive one.

One of our key goals in Turkmenistan is to assist the government in promoting good health and improving quality primary health care. Since 1992, the American International Health Alliance (AIHA) and USAID have supported this unique public-private partnership.

AIHA's health partnership program in Turkmenistan began in 1993 between the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and the Medical Consultative Center in the name of President Niyazov. The partnership program, through the Richmond Ambulance Authority, established the Emergency Medical Training Center at the Tiz-Komek Medical Center in Ashgabat. The EMS training center has trained over 2,000 health professionals and students since it opened in March 1997.

Recognizing the critical role of primary care in improving health for Turkmen citizens, the Government of Turkmenistan proposed joint work with the United States and AIHA in improving the primary care system in the country. U.S. partners from North Dakota agreed to develop a skill-based primary care curriculum and training program for doctors, nurses, and medical attendants. The training program has emphasized the team approach, integrating doctors, nurses and medical attendants in a practical setting.

Here at House of Health #1, AIHA and the North Dakota partners have provided office and training equipment, manikins, and supplies as well as access to the Internet and e-mail. The Center will conduct courses for 3,144 family doctors, 5,746 family nurses and 905 medical attendants. The courses will be taught by the Turkmen instructors who received training in the U.S. and Ashgabat.

Health care is a critical part of a nation’s economic development. By building a productive workforce, investments in health care will give great benefits for years to come. The experience of nations around the world shows this.

Turkmenistan has many advantages as a new independent nation. It has a strong natural resource base and working, good-spirited population. None of this guarantees prosperity, however. Prosperity results from wise investment by government, investment in areas that strengthen the productive capacity of the nation. Health care stands with education as the most important of these investments.

I commend the close collaboration between the Ministry of Health and USAID/AIHA health programs. We hope that because of this, you will continue your many achievements in the spirit of partnership. We applaud the commitment of AIHA and your organizations in supporting efforts to improve health care services for the people of Turkmenistan.