Turkmenistan, is a country slightly larger than California, subtropical desert climate, bordering Iran and Kazakhstan, nestled along the Caspian Sea. It contains 4.5 million people who share commonalties with many Hettinger residents, such a warm personalities and hard-working agricultural backgrounds. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton, making it the world's tenth largest producer. Nomadic cattle raising also boosts the economy.

In January the alliance brought Dr. Kourban Seitnepesoo to West River Regional Medical Center, hosted by Dr. John Joyce, Family Physician at WRRMC. Dr. Joyce has traveled several times to Turkmenistan to observe and offer input on improving preventive care. This is Dr. Seitnepesoo first visit. Speaking through an interpreter, Dr. Seitnepesoo, shares informaion about his healthcare system. One hundred and twenty doctors and specialists serve 67,000 people. Ten physicians to a clinic and one nurse per doctor. Money is not an issue for the physicians, because of government control, but having excellent healthcare is, in the New Independent State (NIS) of the former Soviet Union. The doctor is highly respected in his country, given the title, "Father of Family Medicine." Dr. Seitnepesoo is a consultant for his medical institute, and his main objective is education for the medical facility and to coordinate family medicine. The Turkmen doctor expressed how impressed he was with our facility and the people, "In comparison to larger facilities he's visited, we're incredibly hospitable."

The three-year healthcare alliance is sponsored by USAID and AIHA (American Internatonal Health Alliance, Inc. which provided $450,000 grant for international development.

North Dakota partners include West River Regional Medical Center, UND, the North Dakota Department of Health, St. Aloisius Medical Center in Harvey, Fargo Family Health Care Center, St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck and the North Dakota Primary Care Association.