| Press Statement Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC August 22, 2002 Donation of Hospital Equipment and Medical Supplies in UzbekistanA delegation of United States officials and representatives of private voluntary organizations, headed by Ambassador William B. Taylor, Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, is in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, today for a ceremony turning over a substantial quantity of medical equipment and supplies for installation and use in the Ferghana Valley region of Uzbekistan. This major humanitarian assistance project -- a unique public-private partnership -- is expected to make a substantial improvement in the quality of medical care for residents of the Fergana Valley. The hospital equipment, donated by the Department of Defense, is valued at $16 million. Another $35 million worth of medicines and other supplies donated by major American pharmaceutical manufacturers and U.S.-based private voluntary organizations have also been transported to Uzbekistan with this shipment. This is the second hospital project undertaken by the United States in Uzbekistan. The first was a hospital established in Tashkent in 1997, which was upgraded in 2000. Following the ceremonies in Tashkent today, the U.S. medical teams will begin their work in the Ferghana Valley, installing the hospital equipment and distributing medical supplies and primary-care kits to provincial cities. The participating private voluntary organizations will distribute medicines and medical supplies to clinics throughout the country. |
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