Tajik President Opens Cutting-Edge Pediatric Tuberculosis Hospital in Vahdat

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has officially opened a state-of-the-art Pediatric Tuberculosis Hospital in Vahdat, marking a major advancement in the country’s fight against tuberculosis in children.

The hospital operates under the National Center for Tuberculosis, Pulmonology, and Thoracic Surgery and is set to significantly improve pediatric TB treatment across Tajikistan, The Caspian Post informs via Tajik media.

Constructed with joint funding from the Tajik government and the German Development Bank (KfW), the project cost a total of €2.595 million. Construction began in 2023 and was completed this September.

The new facility covers approximately 15,400 square meters, with the hospital building itself spanning 1,554.8 square meters. This modern two-story center is equipped to serve 50 patients and features specialized wards for children with active tuberculosis, recurrent infections, drug-resistant TB, and includes a dedicated pediatric surgical unit.

During his visit, President Rahmon toured the cutting-edge hospital and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to prioritizing child healthcare and advancing public health initiatives throughout the nation.

Strengthening Tajikistan’s National Tuberculosis Strategy

The inauguration of this hospital represents a significant step forward in Tajikistan’s sustained efforts to combat tuberculosis, supported by continuous investment and international cooperation over many years.

Since 2006, under President Rahmon’s guidance and with financial support from KfW, the Republican Clinical Tuberculosis Hospital was reconstructed, reopening in 2011 before evolving into the National Center for Tuberculosis in 2013. The center now comprises 14 departments with a total capacity of 420 beds.

In 2024, Tajikistan introduced a breakthrough diagnostic method for pediatric TB that uses stool samples instead of the traditional induced sputum collection, which is difficult for young children, especially those under five. According to the Republican Center for TB Control, this innovative one-step stool test has demonstrated equal reliability to sputum testing, without any false negatives.

Medical experts have praised this advancement as a game-changer, making pediatric TB diagnosis more accessible, accurate, and less invasive-an essential improvement in Tajikistan’s broader public health strategy.

The new Pediatric Tuberculosis Hospital in Vahdat stands as a testament to Tajikistan’s commitment to improving child health outcomes and combating infectious diseases through modern infrastructure and innovative medical practices.