Tajikistan bolsters pandemic defenses with ‘One Health’
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In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, representatives from Tajikistan presented the country’s advances in pandemic preparedness using the “One Health” approach, a system integrating human, animal, and environmental health. Sayed Davlatzoda of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population explained that Tajikistan has shifted from discussing the One Health concept to building a functioning national system, identifying 21 priority diseases for laboratory monitoring, including Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and anthrax.
Tajikistan’s 34 border crossings, including a 1,340-kilometer border with Afghanistan, and annual passage of over 40 species of migratory birds make the country particularly vulnerable to zoonotic diseases. To address this, the government established a National Coordination Council on One Health and a National Inter-Sector Working Group on Antimicrobial Resistance, involving multiple ministries and agencies. The country has received substantial financial and technical support for these efforts.
The World Bank provided a $30 million grant during the first phase of a regional program, totaling $130 million across Central Asia. Additionally, the Pandemic Fund contributed $13.78 million to Tajikistan, and the CAREC grant provided $3.45 million for regional coordination. The Tajik government itself is investing $66.3 million from its state budget. As a result of the program, Tajikistan has developed a National Roadmap on Antimicrobial Resistance and trained hundreds of specialists in biosafety and disease diagnostics.
Laboratory turnaround times have decreased by 30%, and six bacteriological laboratories now follow international EUCAST standards for antibiotic resistance testing. Experts note that further work is needed to strengthen cross-border collaboration and improve surveillance systems.
