Istiqlol Hospital: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Project status
COMPLETE
Upgrades include:
- New paving
- High-visibility signage
- Audio-visual signalised crossing
- Accessibility ramps
The location of the crossing means that many people with limited mobility use it regularly, such as wheelchair users, people using mobility aids, and those with visual or hearing impairments. For this reason, great care has been taken to ensure the crossing meets the needs of all people with audio-visual crossing signals and accessibility ramps.
The new crossing was officially opened in May 2019 by a number of important stakeholders including the World Health Organisation, the British Ambassador to Tajikistan, the Head of EBRD in Tajikistan, as well as representatives of the Road Traffic Police, the Ministry of the Internal Affairs, state TV channels, and Young Road Inspectors from nearby schools.
During the official opening, several passers-by were interviewed for their feedback. They were universally delighted with the improvement. They were all regular visitors to the hospital, and said that for them personally it has been wonderful. One women mentioned that many visually impaired people use the crossing, and that they can now cross easily with the audio signal.
Each day I used to face challenges crossing the road near Istiqlol as I walk slowly. I was always at risk.
I am happy that in constructing this new crossing, the needs of people with disabilities have been considered. It enables wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility to cross freely to reach the hospital.
When we have crossings such as this, people with disabilities, as citizens of the country, can be more active. Not only here, but all across Tajikistan.
people use this crossing every day.
%
Police data revealed a 60% reduction in crashes in the first year of the crossing's opening.
Project news
New hospital crossing makes “visible and tangible difference” to road safety
