'Symbol Of Close & Friendly Relations': India-Tajikistan Friendship Hospital Handed Over To Tajik Side

The entire complement of medical equipment, medicines, stores, and support equipment at the India-Tajikistan Friendship Hospital was also handed over to Tajikistan.

New Delhi: The India-Tajikistan Friendship Hospital (ITFH) in Bokhtar was handed over to Deputy Defence Minister of Tajikistan Major General Shohiyon Abdusottor on Saturday. As per the official statement, Ambassador of India to Tajikistan Viraj Singh handed over the hospital on behalf of the Indian Government. "The entire complement of medical equipment, medicines, stores, and support equipment, including an Operation Theatre, X-Ray machines, laboratories, critical care ambulances, and administrative vehicles were also handed over to the Tajik side," the Indian Embassy in Dushanbe stated.

The hospital was renovated by the Indian Government and inaugurated in October 2014 based on an MoU signed between both sides in January 2013. "This fully-fledged 50-bedded hospital has rendered free-of-cost valuable medical services for the last 8 years to the Armed Forces and civilian populace of Tajikistan based on technical support and financial assistance from the Government of India," the Embassy informed.

"The ITFH has an array of medical specialties including ENT, Surgery, Gynecology, Medicine, Pediatrics, and Dental departments. It has provided medical support to more than 100,000 patients over these years including more than 2000 surgeries in the last 2 years," it added.

As per the release, a team of Indian Army doctors and medical staff have provided various medical services to Tajik nationals and simultaneously trained numerous Tajik doctors and medical staff. Over 42 tons of ‘Made in India’ medicines have been sent to ITFH in the last 8 years.

Besides the hospital, New Delhi has also provided medical support to Tajikistan in other forms. India provided 2 million doses of oral polio vaccine through UNICEF in 2010 after the outbreak of Polio in southwest Tajikistan.

"In March 2018, India gifted 10 ambulances to various regions of Tajikistan. In May 2020, India provided 50,000 HCQ tablets and 100,000 paracetamol tablets to Tajikistan. In 2021, approx 700,000 ‘Made in India’ Covishield vaccines were supplied to Tajikistan," the official statement read.

The Embassy expressed confidence and hope that the Tajik side will continue to run the hospital effectively and efficiently with the capacities created by India.

"The ITFH will continue to be a symbol of the close and friendly relations between India and Tajikistan," it stated.

(With Agency Inputs)