Tajikistan Health Insurance

Landlocked by Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China, the Republic of Tajikistan wears the title “former” in several aspects of its past, while it works to find its place in the modern world. As a former Soviet Republic, a former trade outpost of the Silk Road and the former site of one of the most devastating civil wars in central Asia, Tajikistan now hopes to pull itself together and be able to offer better living conditions with greater opportunities to its citizens in the future, who now enjoy relative peace and a growing economy.

While traditionally relying on agriculture, despite a desperate shortage of arable land, industry is now diversifying into mining and manufacturing, thanks to very cheap labor prices. While significant economic growth numbers have been posted in recent years, the hard facts still clearly illustrate that poverty is the harsh reality faced by most. An estimated 20 percent of the country's 7.6 million residents surviving on less than US$1.25 per day, and an average annual per capita income of only around US$2,000. Currently foreign remittances from Tajiks working abroad account for about 35 percent of the country’s GDP, and the government relies heavily on foreign aid for funding of basic provisions including infrastructure, healthcare and education.

Tajikistan Healthcare and Health Insurance Concerns

During the Soviet era, healthcare was marked by an abundance of specialized medical offerings, though little attention was given to family and primary healthcare. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Tajikistan gained independence and inherited a healthcare network it could not afford to operate on its own. Immediately thereafter, civil war broke out and a large number of Tajiks, including medical professionals, fled the country as refugees, thus creating a huge shortage of personnel. This flung the country into a developmental recession that it is still recovering from today.

Some reform efforts and initiatives undertaken by the government and foreign enterprises have seen limited success, but the fact remains that the poorly funded public system is still not able to adequately provide for its citizens and few would be quick to believe that the government is dedicated to the well being of its population with such historically low spending on the public health sector, as low as 1 percent of GDP in 2004. While doctor and hospital bed ratios are reasonably favorable at 20.1 and 54.1 per 10,000 residents respectively, healthcare conditions and health of the general population remains quite low. This is due in large part to poor maintenance of facilities, constant shortages of necessary materials, equipment and pharmaceuticals, and an insufficiently trained medical staff earning very low wages.

Communicable disease is still a major concern, primarily hepatitis, tuberculosis and bacterial infections. Other common killers are cardiovascular disease, cancer and accidents. Particularly for children, malnutrition remains a problem as it is estimated that 15 percent don't get enough to eat. Maternal and infant mortality rates have shown some reduction in recent years, thanks largely to outside help and education, but are still high at 0.064 percent and 3.85 percent each. Average life expectancy is very low by worldwide standards at only 66 years.

For expatriates requiring medical treatment while in Tajikistan, there are two options. The first is the plentiful but highly inadequate public sector, with an abundances of clinics in urban areas and several hospitals to choose from, but all share the same issues of poorly trained staff, lack of supplies and medications, and overcrowding of their meager facilities. The second option is private care. This is much more limited in number of outlets, but the quality of care is vastly improved and equipment and supplies are routinely imported.

The best options for private care are found in the capitol city of Dunshanbe. The Shifo Clinic was the first privately owned medical facility to open in Tajikistan and offers a full range of diagnostic and treatment services to all. These include family medicine, imaging (including MRI capability), surgery, specialist consultation, ob-gyn and birthing, and laboratory testing. The Prospekt Medical Clinic, offers much of the same in a slightly newer facility, and boasts a western trained doctor staff to ensure excellence of care. Both facilities are capable of prepping a patient for emergency air transport abroad should the need arise.

Tajikistan Medical Insurance Information

No nationalized social medicine plan is in effect in Tajikistan. Locals rely on out of pocket payments for treatment. Most medical treatment in public facilities is relatively cheap by western standards, however the rates are still frequently out of reach of the lowest income earners. Further, pharmaceuticals are often not as heavily subsidized as doctors visits and treatment, so in some cases patients will see a doctor but then not be able to afford the prescription they require.

For all non-citizens, out of pocket payment will be required at, or sometimes before, treatment is administered. This is the case for both private and public facilities. For this reason, it is strongly advised that all visiting or relocating to Tajikistan avail themselves of a comprehensive Tajikistan medical insurance policy for the entire extent of their stay to ensure immediate access to quality medical care should the need arise. It is also wise to consider the option of emergency air evacuation or repatriation coverage as the cost this service is astronomical when paid out of pocket, but very affordable with appropriate coverage.

Tajikistan Travel Insurance Concerns

In recent years, Tajikistan has earned a reputation as an adventure traveler's dream destination. With about 90 percent of the country covered in mountains, and long stretches of vast uninhabited wilderness which were closed to the outside world for almost a century to be explored, tourists are starting to descend on this 'off the beaten path' location. Climate is classified as continental, with hot summers and relatively mild winters in the lower elevations, while much harsher winter conditions are found at higher elevation. Over half of the country is higher than 3,000 meters above sea level, with nine mountain peaks cresting over 6,000 meters.

Transportation is not always reliable, and travel, particularly during winter can be very difficult and dangerous. Roadways are in poor repair, mostly left over from the Soviet era, and often unpaved. Air travel within the country is very risky as aircraft are often not well maintained and weather and mountains pose major hazards.

Most common illnesses experienced by visitors include altitude sickness when hiking in the mountains, and food and water-borne illnesses. Other health risks to be aware of are tick-borne encephalitis, cholera, malaria (found in lower elevations from June through October), tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tuberculosis, rabies and polio (which in 2010 made a huge comeback with 457 confirmed infections leading to 29 deaths). It is best to consult your physician before traveling to Tajikistan, as he or she will be able to suggest needed vaccinations. For all traveling to Tajikistan for more than three months however, an AIDS/HIV test proving you are not infected with the disease is required prior to entry.

Sanitation levels are not on par with western countries, with only about 94 percent of the country serviced by sewerage. Improved water sources are even worse however, with only about 70 percent having access. It is urged to practice strict personal hygiene and boil, filter or chemically treat all tap water before drinking or cooking with it.

Communication may prove a challenge for most as the national language is Tajik with Russian also widely spoken. English is not common, though most hospitals and clinics will have someone who can speak it.

Travel along the borders of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan is risky due to presence of landmines and criminal activities. The Rasht Valley is also at times dangerous due to possibility of unrest resulting in swift and intense police actions. It is suspected that Islamic extremists frequently cross over into Tajikistan from Afghanistan, and this border area too should be avoided.

Tajikistan Expat Medical Insurance

Travel to remote destinations is exciting and rewarding, if all necessary precautions are taken to ensure your safety. Tajikistan remains a developing country, and it is hoped that living conditions will improve in the near future. Until then, be sure that you a protected against all potential health risks. Expat Medical Insurance offers Tajikistan Health Insurance packages, as well as International Medical Insurance plans, both with emergency air evacuation coverage available, to ensure that you and your family or travel group have access to the best healthcare possible, come what may. Contact one of our advisers today for more information and to get a free price quote.