Iran is quick changing into a well-liked medical tourism vacation spot for sufferers from neighboring Turkmenistan who’re pissed off by an absence of certified medical doctors of their nation.
Several Turkmen sufferers and their kin, who spoke to RFE/RL on situation of anonymity, stated medical errors and misdiagnosis are widespread in hospitals throughout Turkmenistan.
“Most of Turkmenistan’s medical doctors are incompetent,” stated an Ashgabat resident accompanying his uncle to Iran for knee surgical procedure.
“My uncle’s buddy had the identical sickness and underwent surgical procedure in Ashgabat, however his situation worsened after the operation,” the resident stated. “The man can now not stroll with out crutches, which he didn’t want earlier than the operation.”
Another Turkmen citizen presently receiving remedy in Iran advised RFE/RL that he didn’t belief Turkmen medical doctors.
Newly constructed hospital in Arkhadagh metropolis
“Turkmenistan has many new hospitals with the most recent gear imported from Germany, however there are not any consultants in Turkmenistan who know learn how to use this gear,” he stated by cellphone from the northeastern Iranian metropolis of Mashhad.
Turkmenistan has invested tens of millions of {dollars} in its well being sector to construct state-of-the-art medical services with superior gear since health-conscious dentist-turned-politician Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov got here to energy in late 2006.
President Berdymukhamedov, who dominated Turkmenistan till he handed the presidency over to his son Serdar final yr, was identified for ordering obligatory collective walks, train and bicycle rides for residents to advertise wholesome life.
Many Turkmen say the federal government is failing to coach sufficient medical professionals with the data and abilities wanted to offer high-quality, protected care.
Patients in Turkmenistan are significantly cautious of medical doctors educated of their nation, the place it’s common for a lot of college students to pay bribes to get into medical colleges there.
Bribery typically continues at college and into the workforce after commencement: those that pay the very best tuition charges or have essentially the most highly effective connections are inclined to get the very best grades and the very best jobs, no matter their stage of information or ability.
The man receiving remedy in Mashhad stated that almost all Turkmen sufferers in the identical Iranian hospital had undergone surgical procedure in Turkmenistan, however the operations did extra hurt than good.
“Sometimes Iranian medical doctors function on such sufferers,” the person stated, “however generally they refuse to deal with them, saying it is too late.” [to fix the damage that was done] Or, extra surgical procedure may put the affected person’s life in danger.”
Some Turkmen sufferers declare that Iranian medical doctors gave them utterly completely different diagnoses than these they acquired in Turkmenistan and the remedy they acquired afterwards.
Medical Expense Subsidy
Turkmenistan sufferers arrive in Iran on vacationer visas as a result of the Ashgabat authorities doesn’t enable its residents to obtain remedy overseas.
Former President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov visited the hospital in Arkadag on August 8.
Most Turkmen select hospitals in Mashhad, close to Turkmenistan’s southern border.
Patients in Turkmenistan stated details about the hospital in Mashhad unfold by phrase of mouth, as happy sufferers beneficial it to others.
“There are a number of hospitals in Mashhad which are well-known amongst Turkmen folks,” a Turkmen affected person stated. “You need not make an appointment prematurely on your first go to. You can be seen by the required specialists and we are going to schedule any vital surgical procedures and additional therapies.”
A Turkmen man touring to Iran together with his uncle stated he deliberate to make two journeys, six months aside.
The whole medical payments are estimated to be about $12,000, plus not less than $800 per individual per go to for lodge and airfare, he added.
“But it is comparatively simple to get a visa for Iran. It prices about $70,” the person stated.
Other abroad medical vacationer locations for Turkmen embrace Russia, India, Turkey and Uzbekistan.
But medical tourism is out of attain for the overwhelming majority of impoverished Turkmen folks.
Many folks have needed to make do with remedy in village hospitals that lack operating water and trendy heating methods, not to mention sufficient medical gear.
Turkmenistan gives its residents reasonably priced, backed well being care, with government-sponsored medical health insurance masking most remedy in state-run hospitals.
But in actuality, corruption is reported to be widespread in hospitals, the place sufferers should pay charges to medical doctors and medicines.
RFE/RL’s Turkmenistan information company tried to contact Turkmenistan’s well being authorities for remark however didn’t obtain a response.
Meanwhile, Turkmenistan’s state media continues to report that new medical services are being opened in lots of components of the nation, together with within the newly constructed metropolis of Arkhadag.
Berdymukhamedov, who nonetheless wields nice political affect as chairman of Turkmenistan’s People’s Council and “chief of the nation,” started building of three big medical facilities in Ashgabat in March.
Written and reported by Farangiz Najibullah in Prague; reported by RFE/RL’s Turkmen Service
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