The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $75 million loan and a $2 million grant from the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR) to support a project aimed at strengthening nursing and midwifery education in Turkmenistan, according to the bank’s official release.

This marks ADB’s first healthcare-focused initiative in the country, with the goal of enhancing the nursing profession and expanding public access to high-quality medical services.

The project includes the construction of a state-of-the-art nursing school in Ashgabat, equipped with advanced classrooms, simulation labs, and practical training facilities. The campus will also feature a safe maternity care unit, a dormitory, and an edible garden to promote healthy nutrition and sustainable living.

In addition, the plan involves updating the curriculum to meet international standards, acquiring modern training and medical equipment, and organizing professional development courses for teaching staff and senior nurses.

The total investment is estimated at $98 million, with Turkmenistan’s government contributing $23 million. ADB Country Director for Turkmenistan, Artur Andrysiak, emphasized that this is the third joint initiative between the bank and the country, reflecting deepening trust and cooperation.