The Asian Development Bank approved a $75 million loan and $2 million grant to strengthen Turkmenistan’s nursing workforce, marking the lender’s first health sector investment in the Central Asian nation.
The financing from ADB and Japan’s Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific will support the Improving Nursing Quality and Capacity Project, aimed at addressing critical shortages in qualified healthcare workers.
“The project aims to provide high-quality health services based on people’s needs and ensure equitable access to health care through strengthening the nursing profession and education,” said ADB Country Director for Turkmenistan Artur Andrysiak.
The initiative represents ADB’s third project in Turkmenistan, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of their development partnership.
Central to the project is construction of a new climate-resilient Ashgabat Nursing School featuring modern simulation laboratories, dormitories, and specialized facilities including a mother-friendly room and educational garden promoting nutrition awareness.
The program will also modernize nursing curricula to meet international standards while providing advanced training for teaching faculty and senior nurses.
New medical equipment and updated teaching methods are included in the comprehensive upgrade.
Turkmenistan’s government committed $23 million in counterpart financing toward the $98 million total project cost, reflecting official priority on healthcare system improvements.
Nurses serve as critical first points of contact in Turkmenistan’s health facilities, making their professional development essential for improved patient outcomes and preventive care services.
The Manila-based ADB, founded in 1966, supports development across Asia-Pacific through its 69 member countries, with 50 from the region.
The bank has positioned itself as a leading multilateral lender focused on sustainable, climate-resilient growth.
For Turkmenistan, the nursing project represents broader efforts to build a more competitive economy while strengthening social infrastructure in the energy-rich nation of 6 million people.
DevFiNews.com