First Deputy Minister of Health of the Republic of Tajikistan, Salomatdin Jabbor Yusufi, has said that Pakistani medical students studying in Tajik universities are playing a vital role in strengthening bilateral cooperation in the health sector and enhancing people-to-people contacts.
He noted that universities such as Avicenna Tajik State Medical University (ATSMU) in Dushanbe currently host around 450 Pakistani students and offer modern facilities that meet international standards. Officials from both countries, he added, are working to formalize academic and faculty exchanges through a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Yusufi made these remarks during an interactive session with an eight-member Pakistani media delegation led by Dr. Muhammad Abbas Mahar, CEO of MBBS Abroad Consultancy Pvt Ltd. The delegation included representatives from both print and electronic media.
The session was also attended by Muhiddin Nuriddin Davlatali, Rector of ATSMU; rectors of the Medical Social Institute of Tajikistan and other universities; Ibodzoda Zarina Habibulo; and senior officials from the Ministry of Health.
The deputy minister highlighted Tajikistan’s ambition to become a regional hub for affordable, high-quality medical education by attracting students from Pakistan and other neighboring countries. He emphasized the vast potential for expanding cooperation in medical education and scientific research through institutional partnerships.
Key areas identified for bilateral collaboration include clinical services, pharmaceuticals and medical devices, health information technology, telemedicine, insurance, and public health initiatives, supported by management, research, and wellness programs. He also invited Pakistan’s private sector to establish clinics, hospitals, and joint ventures in partnership with local stakeholders.
Yusufi said Tajikistan currently has 36 medical colleges, including 20 government-owned and 16 private institutions, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and producing doctors and physicians trained to international standards. He pointed to the rapid growth of the private medical sector and urged closer engagement with Pakistan’s private healthcare industry.
Looking ahead to 2026, both countries plan to expand opportunities in medical education exchanges, medical tourism, and joint ventures. He said recent high-level meetings and discussions in 2025 have already advanced MoUs in medical education, pharmaceuticals, and broader health frameworks through intergovernmental commissions.
He further noted that medical treatment in Tajikistan is free, with comprehensive insurance coverage for all citizens, and invited Pakistan’s insurance sector to help strengthen local systems for improved healthcare delivery. He also urged Pakistani media to raise awareness and help deepen ties, particularly in the field of medical tourism.
Dr. Muhammad Abbas Mahar, the exclusive admission partner for international students at ATSMU, echoed these views and highlighted the potential of medical tourism to transform bilateral relations, boost economies, and create new trade opportunities.
He also informed that the Government of Tajikistan has allowed universities to offer two academic sessions per year for medical students, a move that will enable international students to save time and complete their studies earlier. With Pakistan’s youth increasingly seeking quality medical education abroad, ATSMU is positioning Tajikistan as a hub for world-class medical training.
