WORLD COUNCIL OF HELLENES ABROAD (SAE/ÓÁÅ) - Projects and Initiatives

	NEWS BRIEFS
	ALBANIA
	ARMENIA
	GEORGIA
	KAZAKHSTAN
	SOUTHERN RUSSIA
	UKRAINE
	UZBEKISTAN

TRADE

MICRO-ENTERPRISE

THE NATIONAL FUND

(ETO)

ADOPT-A-CHURCH

PRIMARY HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE: UZBEKISTAN

ENLARGE MAP

Country Background
Located in the middle of Central Asia between the Amudarya and Syrdarya rivers, Uzbekistan is the third most populous country of the former Soviet Union. Approximately 61 percent of the population lives in rural areas. The largest and most industrially developed region is the Tashkent Oblast, with a population of more than two million.

Uzbekistan is a multi-ethnic country with more than 130 different nationalities and ethnic groups. Uzbeks constitute more than 75 percent of the population, however Russians, Tajikis, Kazakhs, and Tatars comprise about 15 percent of the population.

The Hellenic community was established in Uzbekistan during World War II when Josef Stalin deported Hellenes from Georgia, Ukraine, and Russia. Presently, the Greek population in Uzbekistan is estimated around 8,000 with the majority of Hellenes living in Tashkent City, Chirchik, and Fergana Valley. Approximately 40 percent of the current Hellenic population is elderly.

Uzbekistan has good farmland and is rich in mineral resources. As a result of the Soviet demand economy, Uzbekistan had a thriving cotton producing industry. However, the desiccation of the Aral Sea has become a major ecological problem for Uzbekistan that has resulted in an increase in infectious diseases and other health problems.

For the last two decades the country has developed national industries in oil, copper, machinery, chemical fertilizers, and hydroelectric plants attracting foreign investment from several joint venture enterprises with Korean, Turkish, and American firms. In spite of this fact, the standard of living for most Uzbeks is at, or below poverty standards.

Health Care Needs
Air and water pollution from industry and agricultural abuse of the land contribute to the rapid decline in public health. There is a high incidence of anemia in women and children and the dramatic increase in heart disease. Cervical and breast cancer are also on the rise. The increase in maternal and infant mortality has prompted a number of humanitarian organizations to begin maternal/child health programs. Infectious disease cases like tuberculosis and other respiratory problems are also prevalent.

Liver cancer and chronic hepatitis are also more prevalent in older Hellenes. Among younger Hellenes living in Uzbekistan, poverty contributes to a poor health status.

Even young, able-bodied Hellenes do not necessarily enjoy a satisfactory standard of living due to high unemployment and low-wage conditions that prevail. Privatization and industrial downsizing has created massive lay-offs and there is no government safety net in Uzbekistan. Those who are fortunate to continue employment barely earn enough to meet their basic needs, all of which contributes to a decline in health.

Furthermore, the outpatient centers that do exist are in need of medical equipment. Many lack such amenities as running water, telephones and rudimentary laboratory facilities. Emergency care is virtually non-existent and many trauma patients never make it to the hospital.

SAE's Project
SAE has sent humanitarian aid to Uzbekistans which consisted of pharmaceuticals and clothing. A needs assessment indicated that a small health care center, based in the Hellenic Federation of Uzbekistan local community center in Tashkent, would be beneficial from which to provide much needed primary health care services.

SAE is seeking support to begin this PHCI project in Uzbekistan.

Help SAE establish this program