Emine Erdoğan Inaugurates Disabled Rehabilitation Center in Tajikistan

The Disabled Rehabilitation Center established by Turkish Collaboration and Coordination Agency (TİKA) at the Şifobahş National Medical Center, the largest hospital in Tajikistan located in the capital Dushanbe, was put into service with the honorable attendance of First Lady Emine Erdoğan.

First Lady Emine Erdoğan, who accompanied President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his visit to Tajikistan for the 5th Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA), inaugurated the Disabled Rehabilitation Center, which was constructed and equipped with hardware by TİKA, in the capital city of Dushanbe.

First Lady Emine Erdoğan, Tajikistan's Minister of Health and Social Security Nasim Olimzoda, Tajikistan's Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment Sumangul Tagoyzoda, Vice President of TİKA Serkan Kayalar, hospital staff, and citizens attended the opening ceremony of the center.

Emine Erdogan spoke at the opening ceremony and said, "The center we are inaugurating today is a manifestation of the strong bond of friendship between Turkey and Tajikistan. Through TİKA, we are sharing the experiences we have gained over many years in our country with our sister nation Tajikistan. We would like to gift the smiles we have put on the faces of disabled citizens in our own country to our brothers and sisters here. As you all know, the empowerment of societies is directly related to the empowerment of every individual that is a part of that society."

Expressing that it is everyone's duty to help individuals with disabilities overcome their physical obstacles and discover their potential, Erdoğan said, "I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who was involved in the creation of this center and particularly to TİKA for spreading the friendly sentiments of Turkey to the entire world. I would like to thank Tajikistan authorities for enabling the formation of this bridge of friendship."

Tajikistan's Minister of Health and Social Security Nasim Olimzoda also spoke at the ceremony and said, "The fact that we have distinguished guests from Turkey visiting Tajikistan is very important for the strengthening of our ties. I would like to extend my gratitude primarily to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and also to TİKA and TİKA's Vice President Serkan Kayalar for carrying out activities to provide the people of Tajikistan with improved health services over the years.”

In the first phase of the project, which was implemented in two stages, a single-story building with a closed area of 300 square meters was constructed in the area determined by the hospital management. In the second phase of the project, the Center was equipped with the medical devices and equipment needed for the rehabilitation of the disabled.

The center was made ready for service within a year following the protocol signed between Tajikistan's Ministry of Health and Social Security and TİKA in 2018.

Specialized physiotherapists and occupational therapists who received training in the rehabilitation of disabled people abroad will work at the center. Moreover, the center aims to provide postoperative treatment to patients who undergo surgery at the orthopedic clinic of the Şifobahş National Medical Center and to provide treatment to disabled patients from all over the country.

Operating in Tajikistan since 1995, TİKA has completed more than 300 projects in several areas including education, health, agriculture, the support of administrative and civil infrastructures, and emergency humanitarian assistance.