Turkmenistan Becomes Even Crazier

Turkmenistan, the recipient of the Economist’s worst nation award in 2004, is doing its best to live up to that infamous distinction with the most recent executive order that the nation’s hospitals be closed. That’s according to a recent declaration of the Stalinist President Niyazov, aka Turkmenbashy (“Father of the Turkmens”). Doctors are only permitted to treat people in the capital, the president says: “We must close hospitals there [in the countryside], what do we need them there for? Let people be treated in Ashgabat [the nation’s capital].”Â? Indeed,

I’m sure this will greatly endear Turkmenbashy to the people outside the capital. Niyazov’s justification? “It is possible to keep the good doctors here (in Ashgabat). To disperse them throughout the country, throughout the region, is impossible.”Â? As part of the nation’s new “managed care,” 15,000 health workers were sacked and replaced with army recruits. I feel healthier already.

A tip o’ the hat to Adamu.