The Law “On Health Insurance” was adopted in Tajikistan 15 years ago in 2008, but its implementation has been delayed for the 5^th time, ASIA-Plus reports.

In 2008, the parliament decided to postpone implementation of the document until 2010. At the end of 2022, deputies postponed its entry into force for the 5^th time in a row.

At a meeting in parliament, First Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection Gafur Mukhsinzoda explaining the situation, said that, according to the interdepartmental working group, favorable conditions have not been created in the country for a full transition to a health insurance system.

According to him, to implement the law economic, financial, and organizational requirements must be considered. He noted that, according to the Ministry of Finance, “if health insurance premiums are paid at the expense of the current social tax, there is a possibility of a decrease in the income of the social insurance budget and pensions, which may lead to failure to fulfill the state’s social obligations to the population”.

Gafur Mukhsinzoda clarified that experience of other countries has shown that introduction of compulsory health insurance requires that the healthcare sector must be at least 4-6% of GDP.

This indicator is equal to:

in Kazakhstan – 4.4%
in Kyrgyzstan – 4.2%
in Turkey – 4.5%
in Moldova – 5.6%
in Poland – 5.7%
in Estonia – 5.8%
in Uzbekistan – 3.5%

while in Tajikistan – only 2.8%, the source writes.