On 24 March 2026, experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report on the implementation of a pilot healthcare financing reform aimed at improving the accessibility and quality of primary health care (PHC).
The reform seeks to advance universal health coverage and is being implemented in line with Tajikistan’s National Health Strategy through 2030. According to WHO, the project addresses several key challenges, including high out-of-pocket spending on healthcare, limited access to services for patients with chronic conditions, and the uneven distribution of healthcare resources.
Strengthening primary health care is one of the key priorities of the reform. Under the pilot project, regional health budgets are to be consolidated, a regional mechanism for purchasing healthcare services is being established, and a new approach to provider payment is being introduced. Healthcare organisations are also expected to gain greater autonomy in managing their resources.
Particular attention is being paid to integrating vertical health programmes into the PHC system. According to WHO, this approach is expected to improve the efficiency of resource use and contribute to a healthcare system that is more responsive to the needs of the population. The pilot also aims to expand access to primary care services and strengthen the administrative capacity of healthcare organisations.
WHO views the pilot project in Sughd Region as an opportunity to test key elements of the reform and assess the role of PHC in delivering high-quality, accessible and people-centred healthcare. The results of the pilot could inform the further development of Tajikistan’s healthcare system.
The full report is available on the WHO official website.
The reform seeks to advance universal health coverage and is being implemented in line with Tajikistan’s National Health Strategy through 2030. According to WHO, the project addresses several key challenges, including high out-of-pocket spending on healthcare, limited access to services for patients with chronic conditions, and the uneven distribution of healthcare resources.
Strengthening primary health care is one of the key priorities of the reform. Under the pilot project, regional health budgets are to be consolidated, a regional mechanism for purchasing healthcare services is being established, and a new approach to provider payment is being introduced. Healthcare organisations are also expected to gain greater autonomy in managing their resources.
Particular attention is being paid to integrating vertical health programmes into the PHC system. According to WHO, this approach is expected to improve the efficiency of resource use and contribute to a healthcare system that is more responsive to the needs of the population. The pilot also aims to expand access to primary care services and strengthen the administrative capacity of healthcare organisations.
WHO views the pilot project in Sughd Region as an opportunity to test key elements of the reform and assess the role of PHC in delivering high-quality, accessible and people-centred healthcare. The results of the pilot could inform the further development of Tajikistan’s healthcare system.
The full report is available on the WHO official website.