Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT1414
2009-11-04 12:35:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: MINISTER OF HEALTH "BANISHED" TO
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001414
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KFLU TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: MINISTER OF HEALTH "BANISHED" TO
OVERSEE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001414
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KFLU TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: MINISTER OF HEALTH "BANISHED" TO
OVERSEE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) USAID staff was told last week by a colleague at an
international organization that the Minister of Healthcare
and Medical Industry (MOHMI),Ata Serdarov, is sitting in
Archman (110 km from Ashgabat) to supervise the
reconstruction/renovation of the town,s sanatorium. The
reported "banishment" is punishment for delaying the
sanatorium's reconstruction. (NOTE: This explains, in part,
President Berdimuhamedov's October 14 severe reprimand of
Serdarov for "shortcomings at work, loose control over the
construction of healthcare facilities, and failure to provide
new healthcare facilities with highly qualified personnel."
END NOTE.) According to our contact, all documents awaiting
the Minister,s signature now are directed to Deputy Minister
(Sanitary Epidemiological Service) Leyla Shamuradova. In
most cases, she delays signing documents or simply sends them
back unsigned, because she is not aware of details and is
afraid of making mistakes. A separate MOHMI contact
confirmed Shamuradova,s role and approach in connection with
two recent diplomatic notes requesting approval for new USAID
projects. Neither note resulted in approval, but instead
generated additional follow-up to be done by USAID.
2. (C) COMMENT: In the midst of the current flu outbreak in
Turkmenistan, a public health crisis that the government
continues to deny, the absence of the Minister of Health is
an unfortunate indication of the government's
disfunctionality. However, given the government's absolute
inability to publicly acknowledge any negative aspect of life
in Turkmenistan, it's doubtful that the Minister's presence
at the Ministry would make any difference. END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2019
TAGS: PGOV SOCI KFLU TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: MINISTER OF HEALTH "BANISHED" TO
OVERSEE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) USAID staff was told last week by a colleague at an
international organization that the Minister of Healthcare
and Medical Industry (MOHMI),Ata Serdarov, is sitting in
Archman (110 km from Ashgabat) to supervise the
reconstruction/renovation of the town,s sanatorium. The
reported "banishment" is punishment for delaying the
sanatorium's reconstruction. (NOTE: This explains, in part,
President Berdimuhamedov's October 14 severe reprimand of
Serdarov for "shortcomings at work, loose control over the
construction of healthcare facilities, and failure to provide
new healthcare facilities with highly qualified personnel."
END NOTE.) According to our contact, all documents awaiting
the Minister,s signature now are directed to Deputy Minister
(Sanitary Epidemiological Service) Leyla Shamuradova. In
most cases, she delays signing documents or simply sends them
back unsigned, because she is not aware of details and is
afraid of making mistakes. A separate MOHMI contact
confirmed Shamuradova,s role and approach in connection with
two recent diplomatic notes requesting approval for new USAID
projects. Neither note resulted in approval, but instead
generated additional follow-up to be done by USAID.
2. (C) COMMENT: In the midst of the current flu outbreak in
Turkmenistan, a public health crisis that the government
continues to deny, the absence of the Minister of Health is
an unfortunate indication of the government's
disfunctionality. However, given the government's absolute
inability to publicly acknowledge any negative aspect of life
in Turkmenistan, it's doubtful that the Minister's presence
at the Ministry would make any difference. END COMMENT.
CURRAN