Only Russian medical professionals have the right to conduct medical examinations of migrants in Tajikistan

The Ministry of Health of Russia plans to open a single center in Tajikistan for mandatory medical examinations of labor migrants heading to work in Russia.

According to the text of the draft regulatory legal act submitted for consideration to the State Duma, the Ministry of Health of Russia may choose one of the Russian medical research centers as the sole operator for medical examinations of labor migrants from Tajikistan before their entry into Russia.

As noted in the document, Minister of Health M.A. Murashko ordered the “National Medical Research Center for Therapy and Preventive Medicine” of the Ministry of Health of Russia to be responsible for conducting medical examinations of Tajik citizens. Thus, in fact, the medical examination will be conducted by employees of the Russian center.

If the draft regulatory legal act is adopted, only Russian medical professionals will be able to conduct medical examinations of labor migrants in Tajikistan. This center will operate in accordance with Russian legislation, and all medical documentation will be prepared and maintained in Russian. The issued final conclusion will be recognized on the territory of Russia and will exempt migrants from the need to undergo a medical examination in Russia.

It is reported that the key task of this innovation is to protect the population of Russia from epidemiologically dangerous diseases.

On October 9, 2025, an intergovernmental agreement between Tajikistan and Russia on medical examinations of labor migrants on the territory of Tajikistan was signed in Dushanbe.

However, the agreement did not specify which party should conduct the medical examinations.

Now the Russian side intends to require Russian medical professionals to conduct the medical examinations.

Experts believe that this decision indicates a lack of trust in the results of medical examinations in Tajikistan and reflects Moscow’s intention to take full control of the process.

It should be noted that the ratification of this agreement is taking place against the backdrop of increased anti-migrant sentiments in Russia. Under this pretext, several new laws have been proposed and adopted in the State Duma of Russia.

In particular, it has been proposed to require migrants to have voluntary medical insurance (VMI) to cross the border into Russia. Previously, a free compulsory medical insurance (CMI) policy could be obtained after three years of legal work, but by the end of 2025, this period was extended to five years. Additionally, it is proposed to reduce the time for undergoing medical examinations in Russia from 90 days to 30 days, as well as to require migrants who have been in the country for more than 30 days to undergo medical examinations annually.

Experts believe that the medical examination of migrants under the supervision of Russian doctors, even on the territory of their own country, indicates a tightening of Russia’s migration policy. Although this initiative somewhat simplifies the medical examination process for further employment in Russia, it simultaneously increases control over migrants.