THE ESTABLISHMENT AND PROGRESS OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SECTOR IN THE TURKESTAN ASSR (1917–1920)

Аннотация

This paper explores the formation and early development of the healthcare system in the Turkestan Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic (ASSR) during the years 1917–1920. Following the October Revolution, the Soviet government undertook efforts to centralize medical services, combat widespread diseases, train medical personnel, and establish healthcare institutions throughout the region. The study analyzes the political, social, and economic conditions influencing these reforms, highlights both the achievements and obstacles encountered, and examines how Soviet ideology shaped public health policies and their implementationin practice. After the October Revolution of 1917, power in Russia—and likewise in its colony, the Turkestan region—was seized by the dictatorship of the proletariat. The concepts of state- building and democracy were abolished, and a violent regime was established. The people of Turkestan were also subjected to the rule of this despotic system. The Soviet government created a unique form of autonomy in the region in the shape of the Turkestan ASSR. The main goal of this was to prevent Turkestan from gaining independence and becoming a sovereign state. As a result, the region became even more politically and economically dependent on SovietRussia. Although the Turkestan ASSR existed for only a short time, it left a significant mark on the history of Uzbekistan. It operated under difficult conditions marked by political conflict, economic crisis, deepening social problems, and widespread epidemics. On November 2, 1917, a meeting of the Regional Council was held in Tashkent, with the participation of representatives of various local soviets, parties, and social organizations [15]. Efforts were initiated to establish a temporary governing body in the region. During the Third Congress of Soviets, held from November 15 to 22, 1917, the formation of the Council of People's Commissars of the Turkestan Region was officially announced [16]. Former military doctor N.F. Barankin was appointed as the People's Commissar of Health, but he served only briefly before being dismissed from the position. He was succeeded by K.Ya. Uspensky, and later, from April to October 1918, S. Tursunkhodzhayev held the post. Subsequently, the health sector was led by figures such as T. Ryskulov, G.T. Trofimov, I.I. Orlov, S.D. Asfandiyarov, K.Z. Geller, Ya.S. Dashev, andL.O. Gelfogt[8]. During the Russian Empire, governance in Turkistan was entirely subordinated to the Ministry of War, and health affairs were placed under the control of the military-sanitary administration. As a result, heads of provincial health departments and regional physicians were often selected from among former military doctors who typically treated the general population in a formal and indifferent manner. Under such conditions, it was impossible to provide quality medical page2024 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ISSN:2692-5206,ImpactFactor:12,23 AmericanAcademicpublishers,volume05,issue05,2025 Journal: https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai services. This system continued for some time even after the October Revolution. After the establishment of the Turkistan People's Commissariat of Health, provincial, city, and district departments were set up, with their leadership still mainly composed of military personnel, who tookmeasures to organizehealthcare services in theregions [9]. Within the Turkistan People's Commissariat of Health, several departments operated, including mobilization, medical supply, sanitary station, scientific-practical, hospital provision, sanitary engineering, legal affairs, sanitary education, sanitary-epidemiological, resort, and veterinary services. The heads of these departments were included in the collegium of the Commissariat. Additionally, a residential sanitary inspection unit was established under the Commissariat to monitor the sanitary conditions of populated areas [10]. In turn, health departments were also established in local areas and were affiliated with central and local administrative bodies. A collegium was formed under the People's Commissariat of Health, which included the People's Commissar, his deputy, former military sanitary inspector Professor M.P. Tikhomirov, physicians A.P. Spiridonov and A.D. Grekov, as well as pharmacist A. Ovsyannikov[10]. In turn, local health departments were also established and subordinated to both central and regional administrative bodies. A collegium was formed under the People's Commissariat of Health, which included the People's Commissar, his deputy, former military sanitary inspector Professor M.P. Tikhomirov, physicians A.P. Spiridonov and A.D. Grekov, as well as pharmacist A. Ovsyannikov[1]. Local health sections were established under provincial and city councils, which were later transformed into health departments of the local councils. For example, on April 12, 1918, the Samarkand Provincial Health Commissariat was establi