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Promoting Use of Reproductive Health Services Among Tajikistan's Poor

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (18 March 2004) - ADB has approved a US$1 million grant for a public information campaign directed at improving the health of Tajikistan's poorest.

The project will target mothers and children and other women of reproductive age, promoting and improving access to innovative health care procedures. It will focus on five of the poorest rural districts - Roshkala in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, Aininski and Gorno-Mastcha in Sugd, Garm in Region of Republican Subordination, and Kulyab in Khatlon.

The grant is from ADB's Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR), funded by the Government of Japan.

At the national level, the project will help the Ministry of Health identify barriers to the use of health services and develop strategies for public information services and community participation.

These strategies will be carried out through public information campaigns on the purpose, scope, and benefits of a healthy lifestyle, good health and nutrition practices, and reformed health services.

A network of nongovernment organizations, community organizations, women's groups, and community nurses will be set up to monitor whether or not the poor and needy are using the innovative health services under the ongoing ADB-backed Health Sector Reform Project, approved last December.

"Providing the health service package does not mean these services will be used, particularly by poor and vulnerable groups," says Takako Yasukawa, an ADB Health Specialist.

"It is important to remove the barriers that prevent these groups from using health services."

Access to health services in Tajikistan is affected by lack of motivated and skilled health providers, deteriorated facilities and lack of equipment and supply, inability to pay, lack of awareness, and lack of community involvement and support.

A World Bank poverty assessment showed that the poorest 20% feel isolated from information they need to make decisions about their health. In addition, women are discouraged from using health services due to their inability to pay.

The Ministry of Health will implement the project. The Government will contribute US$316,250 to the total cost of US$1,316,250.

The JFPR was set up in 2000 with an initial contribution of Y10 billion (about $90 million), followed by additional contributions of $155 million and a commitment of $50 million.

The Asian Development Bank is dedicated to reducing poverty in the Asia and Pacific region through pro-poor sustainable economic growth, social development, and good governance. Established in 1966, it is owned by 63 members - 45 from the region. In 2003, it approved loans and technical assistance amounting to US$6.1 billion and US$177 million, respectively.

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