Two Ambulances for 130,000 People: Where Is the Money Going in Turkmenistan?

Two Ambulances for an Entire District: How the Authorities of Turkmenistan Have Driven Healthcare Into Crisis The authorities of Turkmenistan continue to present an image of “prosperity” and a so-called “era of happiness” to the outside world, while people living in the regions face a reality that increasingly resembles a humanitarian crisis. According to Azatlyk Radiosy, in the Charjev district of the Lebap region, where more than 130,000 people live, emergency medical services are provided by only two ambulances. At the same time, the district includes more than 20 settlements, many of them located far from one another. Local residents say that even reaching emergency services by phone is difficult, and receiving help in time is often impossible. One resident described how her three-month-old child developed a high fever during the night, but the dispatcher told her: “Bring the child by taxi, you are fourth in line.” Other residents report that even in cases where a person may be dying, people are effectively told: “There is no vehicle available — wait.” Particularly alarming is the condition of the ambulances themselves. According to local residents and medical workers, both vehicles date back to the Soviet period, break down constantly, and are incapable of properly serving such a large district. But the main question increasingly being asked by citizens of Turkmenistan is: where is the state money going? Turkmenistan possesses enormous natural gas reserves and has earned billions from energy exports for decades. The authorities continue to construct marble palaces, organize expensive international forums, build largely empty cities, stage lavish celebrations, and spend enormous sums on propaganda and personality cult projects. Yet somehow, there is no funding for adequate emergency medical services for 130,000 people. Why, in a country exporting natural gas worth billions of dollars, are mothers forced to search for taxis at night in order to save their children? Why are people in rural areas uncertain whether medical assistance will arrive at all? Why are ambulances reportedly used for personal errands and transportation of staff members instead of saving lives? Residents openly speak about systemic corruption, lack of accountability, and complete indifference by officials toward the lives of ordinary citizens. The situation appears even more tragic given that Turkmen authorities regularly showcase supposed “achievements in healthcare” on state television and in official reports. On television screens there are modern buildings and ceremonial openings, while the reality for many citizens is two outdated ambulances serving an entire district and people waiting helplessly during life-threatening emergencies. The absence of timely emergency medical care is not merely an infrastructure problem. It is a direct violation of the fundamental human right to life. And while the authorities continue investing billions into image-building projects and luxury developments, the people of Turkmenistan are left alone with illness, fear, and a system that has abandoned them. Source: Azatlyk Radiosy https://www.azathabar.com/a/kop-ilatly-carjewde-dine-iki-sany-tiz-komek-ulagy-hyzmat-edyar/33404289.html⁠� Photo source: Azatlyk Radiosy / RFE-RL