History of the department
History of the Department
In 1958, due to the need to improve and expand children's healthcare services and the increasing demand for pediatricians, the Faculty of Pediatrics was established in the republic. Five pediatric departments were formed within the faculty:
1. Department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases
2. Department of Faculty Pediatrics
3. Department of Hospital Pediatrics
4. Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
5. Department of Pediatric Surgery.
The establishment of an independent department of propaedeutics of children diseases within the Faculty of Pediatrics of the Avicenna Tajik State Medical Institute dates back to May 1959. The first head of the department of propaedeutics of children diseases was Galina Efimovna Levina, PhD, associate professor. She came to Tajikistan voluntarily after graduating from the Leningrad Medical Institute in 1929, along with her husband, Nikolai Zasimovich Monakov, MD, Professor, who later became the organizer of surgical services in Tajikistan and head of the department of Hospital Surgery.
G.E. Levina was one of the first pediatricians and a pioneer in organizing pediatric services in Tajikistan. Beginning her work in Kanibadam, she conducted extensive outreach and educational work among local women on issues of early childhood care. G.E. Levina actively participated in the organization and activities of the Kanibadam Medical College. In 1935, G.E. Levina's fruitful scientific and clinical work began in Dushanbe. Initially, she worked as a physician at a children's dispensary. In May 1936, by order of the City Health Department, she was assigned responsibility for the medical work of the "Baby House." From 1938, she headed the neonatal department at the maternity hospital. Along with her clinical work, G.E. Levina also taught at the Dushanbe Medical College. In 1942, at the Avicenna Tajik State Medical Institute, G.E. Levina was elected to the position of assistant in the pediatrics department, headed by Professor S.A. Shafershtein. In 1953, G.E. Levina defended her candidate's dissertation on "Comatose Malaria in Children," which was of great scientific and practical significance at the time, given the high incidence of malaria among children. This was the first scientific work in pediatrics defended at the Avicenna Tajik State Medical Institute. The first assistant professors in the department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases, headed by G.E. Levina, were S.M. Kabulova, M.Sh. Mukhammadieva, and T.L. Rossovskaya. G.E. Levina published over 50 scientific papers on current issues in pediatrics. Six candidate dissertations were defended under her supervision. Having opened a pediatric hematology department, G.E. Levina was the first to diagnose hemolytic anemia. G.E. Levina was an active public figure; for several years, she served as a deputy of the district and city Council of Workers' Deputies, and in 1963, she was elected Chairperson of the Society of Pediatricians of Tajikistan. G.E. Levina was awarded government awards, honorary diplomas from the Supreme Soviet of the Tajik SSR, two medals, the "Excellent Healthcare Worker of the USSR" badge, and also held the title of "Honored Doctor of the Tajik SSR."
From 1969 to 1974, the Department of propaedeutics of children diseases was headed by Sofya Mirzotashevna Kabulova, PhD, associate professor. S.M. Kabulova's dissertation was devoted to the characteristics of glomerulonephritis in young children in the dry and hot climate of Tajikistan (1968). The department was based at Children's Clinical Hospital No. 2, which had 120 beds. In addition to teaching, the department's four-person staff regularly provided advisory and consultative services to the base clinic, two outpatient clinics in Dushanbe, and the Kulyab region. The research work of the department propaedeutics of children’s diseases under the direction of S.M. Kabulova included studying the clinical features, treatment, and prevention of staphylococcal infections in young children. This study formed the basis of the PhD dissertation of Maryam Vakhidovna Abdurakhmanova, who dedicated her entire career to the Department propaedeutics of children’s diseases. Department staff members N.U. Umarova, A.I. Sanginova, and M.V. Abdurakhmanova have worked in the department since its founding. G.E. Levina, under whom S.M. Kabulova was the department's first assistant, called her a great helper and supporter and, in her eyes, a practical person with a gift for common sense.
From 1974 to 1977, the propaedeutics of children’s diseases department was headed by Nikolai Nikolaevich Krasnogorsky, Doctor of Medical Sciences and Professor. During his tenure, he continued to improve the department's educational and research work. From 1977 to 1983, the department was headed by Candidate of Medical Sciences, associate professor Alexandra Ivanovna Sanginova. During her years of activity, The department was relocated to Children's Clinical Hospital №1 Due to the increase in staff (9 people), the volume of work performed also increased. The department staff prepared and published teaching aids and recommendations for third year students of the Faculty of Pediatrics. The department supervised three outpatient clinics and Children's Home № 2, providing advisory services to the city of Leninabad and three districts of the Leninabad Region. The department's research focused on studying the health of preschool-aged children.
From 1983 to 1998, the department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases was headed by Boris Yakovlevich Vyalushkin, MD, Professor, who worked at the Moscow Research Institute of Pediatrics, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. During his tenure, research intensified. The department's research focused on frequently ill children, chronic nutritional disorders, bronchopulmonary pathology, and regional characteristics of rickets in children. On the initiative of Professor B. Ya. Vyalushkin, the Department of Immunology was founded at the Research Institute of Preventive Medicine of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Tatarstan. Under his supervision, 13 candidates and 3 doctoral dissertations were defended (A. A. Azizov, Z. K. Umarova, V. V. Shchigolev). A textbook on the propaedeutics of children diseases for third-year students, methodological recommendations, and several monographs were published under Professor B. Ya. Vyalushkin's editorship.
In January 1995, the department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases was transferred from Dushanbe Children's Clinical Hospital No. 1 to Children's Clinical Hospital No. 2 due to its merger with the Department of Faculty Pediatrics. One department was founded the Department of Faculty Pediatrics and propaedeutics of children’s diseases. In 1997, due to the liquidation of the Faculty of Pediatrics, the Department of Faculty Pediatrics was also liquidated. From 1997 to the present, the Department of department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases has operated at the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University.
From 1998 to 2010, the Department of department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases was headed by Dr. A.A. Azizov. As head of the department in 2000, he completed his research and successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on "Chronic Gastroduodenitis and Peptic Ulcer Disease in Children of Tajikistan." More than 100 scientific papers and guidelines have been published in Russian and the state languages, addressing important pediatric issues such as assessing the quality of life of children with pyelonephritis, respiratory and digestive pathologies in children, and the characteristics of urinary tract diseases in children. Under the supervision of A.A. Azizov, one doctoral and two candidate dissertations were successfully defended. Four manuals for students and healthcare professionals in pediatrics were published. The department consisted of 10 employees, including two doctors of science, three candidates of science, and five assistants.
Over the years of the department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases, the department staff has published more than 600 scientific papers. During his tenure at the department, A.A. Azizov raised the level of educational and research work and made a significant contribution to the training of highly qualified scientific and pedagogical personnel. Since 2010, the department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases has been headed by L.A. Babaeva, PhD, associate professor. In 1996, she defended her PhD thesis on "Risk Factors and Characteristics of the Course of Calculous Pyelonephritis in Children." L.A. Babaeva is the author of over 436 scientific and educational publications, including 52 articles in journals peer-reviewed by the Higher Attestation Commissions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan, 36 international publications, 1 rationalization proposal, 6 textbooks, 35 teaching aids, 53 teaching and methodological recommendations, and 4 clinical protocols published in Russian, Tajik, and English. Under L.A. Babaeva's supervision, two PhD theses and two master's theses from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have been defended.
Currently, the department employs 17 staff members:
L.A. Babaeva – Head of Department, Z.Kh. Yakubova – Professor of the Department, G.A. Rakhmanova, N.A. Abdullaeva, O.F. Khaidarova – Associate professors of the Department, O.T. Khodjaeva, M.R. Kadyrova, H.A. Boboeva – Senior Lecturers, assistant of the department – K.R. Razokova, N.P. Ashurova, M.A. Rakhmatullaeva, F.S. Murodova, G.Z. Murodov, A.A. Giyosov, A.K. Ashurova, Sh.V. Saidakhmatova, Z.E. Rakhmanova.
Clinical Facilities and Staff
Since 2016, the clinical facilities of the department have been the State Institution "Istiklol Medical Complex." Department staff provides consultative services in Building 7, which houses 13 pediatric somatic departments with a total of 219 beds.
1. Hemodialysis Department – 4 beds.
2. Nephrology Department No. 1 – 20 beds.
3. Nephrology Department No. 2 – 20 beds.
4. Gastroenterology Department – 20 beds.
5. Cardiology Department – 20 beds.
6. Pulmonology Department – 20 beds.
7. Allergology Department – 20 beds.
8. Low Birth Infant Department – 20 children.
9. Department Septic treatment – 20 children.
10. Endocrinology Department – 20 beds.
11. Neurology Department – 20 beds.
12. Mother and Child Department – 14 beds.
13. Intensive Care Unit – 14 beds.
The department's clinical facilities include its own modern laboratory and diagnostic facilities, where general clinical, biochemical, bacteriological, serological, and instrumental examinations are performed.
All department staff conduct educational, scientific, and clinical consultation work at the Istiklol Medical Complex. According to the approved schedule, the professor, associate professors, senior lecturers, and assistants conduct consultations, examinations, and patient rounds. For educational work, the clinical facilities have allocated 14 classrooms and a mini lecture hall for the department. An electronic library is located in the administrative building of the Complex.
Department Academic Work
The department is attended by 2nd- year students of the Faculty of Pediatrics and 2nd- year undergraduates, who take a communication skills course in the first semester. 3rd-year undergraduates also study the propaedeutics of childhood diseases. 3rd- year students of the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Pediatrics take a course on propaedeutics of childhood diseases and clinical skills in the second semester. 3rd-year students of the Faculty of Dentistry take a course on "Pediatrics" in the second semester. The department also trains clinical residents.
The main educational goals of teaching propaedeutics of childrens diseases throughout the course of study are to provide comprehensive information on the APF, research methods, semiotics, and syndromes of damage to various organs and systems, as well as feeding infants and children over one year of age. The course on childhood diseases examines the main childhood diseases, while communication skills focuses on the communicative relationship between doctor and patient. Clinical skills include: medical history collection, anthropometric measurements, examination techniques, and interpretation of laboratory and instrumental examination methods. Classes are conducted in three languages (Tajik, Russian, and English). According to the curriculum, students take midterm final tests (ratings) at a single testing center and an exam at the end of the academic year.
Academic mobility. Based on the bilateral agreement between the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University and the Bukhara State Medical Institute, in 2023, the associate professor of the Department of Fundamentals of Pediatric Diseases of the Bukhara State Medical Institute conducted practical classes and lectures on the topic of "Nutrition of young children" at the Department of Early Childhood Nutrition. In 2025, the Department of Early Childhood Nutrition gave lectures to third-year students of the Khatlon State Medical University in Dangara on early childhood nutrition. Over the past five years, the department's staff has conducted 641 practical classes at the Simulation Training Center at the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University
Educational and Methodological Activities
To support its educational work, the department continuously develops teaching aids for students of all faculties, as well as for interns and clinical residents. Work programs for all faculties are reviewed annually, and standard programs are approved every five years.
Over the past five years, the department's staff has prepared and published 63 teaching aids, including five textbooks, 27 teaching aids, and 31 teaching aids in Russian, English, and the national language. Currently, the department is 100% equipped with educational literature in Russian, English, and the national language.
Research Activities of the Department
Since 2023, the department's research topic has been approved: "Respiratory Allergies in Children (Risk Factors, Clinical Features, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention)" for the period 2023-2028. The results of the conducted research are presented in the form of articles and abstracts, and dissertations on the department's topic are also written for the degree of Candidate of Medical Sciences.
Every year, the department's staff actively participates in the annual conferences of the State Educational Institution "Avicenna Tajik State Medical University", the Institute of Postgraduate Education of the Republic of Tajikistan, the State Educational Institution "Khatlon State Medical University", as well as republican conferences.Over the past 5 years, the department's students and young assistants have won 11 prizes, including four international awards (Samarkand, 2025; Tashkent, 2026).
Under the supervision of Professor R.N. Berdiev and Associate Professor L.A. Babaeva, one dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Medical Sciences has been defended. The candidate, F.S. Murodova, has passed the approval process and is currently defending her dissertation.
Over the past five years, the department's staff has published over 350 scientific papers, including 46 in journals peer-reviewed by the Higher Attestation Commissions of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan, 27 internationally, one monograph, and two rationalization proposals. The department staff is actively working on training scientific personnel from among students, clinical staff Interns and interns. To this end, the department has a student scientific society. Young scientists present papers and presentations at its monthly meetings. These presentations are accompanied by demonstrations of specific patients and analysis of their case histories. The department's student scientific society members third and fourth year students of the Faculty of Medicine participated in international competitions held at Samakand State Medical University and the Avicenna Bukhara State Medical Institute in the Republic of Uzbekistan, winning two second-place awards.
Treatment and Preventive Care
The department works closely with healthcare institutions in the city and several regions. Treatment is carried out under a bilateral agreement between the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University and the Istiklol Medical Complex, signed on January 3, 2022, for a period of five years. Buildings 7 "A" and 7 "B" of the children's somatic departments are supervised by the staff of the department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases. The department staff provides consultations to all seriously ill patients undergoing inpatient treatment and also conducts bedside rounds in the intensive care, nephrology, allergy, gastroenterology, endocrinology, pulmonology, and hemodialysis departments. The department staff holds daily morning conferences. Clinical conferences and child mortality reviews are held according to the approved schedule. The department employs 13 part-time staff members who are also core employees of the State Institution "Istiklol Medical Complex.52.9% of the department's core staff hold the highest (29.4%), first (17.6%), and second (5.9%) medical categories. Over the past five years, 94.1% of the department's core faculty have completed advanced training courses in their specialty and pedagogy, participated in air ambulances (184), and made radio and television appearances on current pediatric topics.
As members of working groups of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Republic of Tatarstan and NGOs, the department's faculty participated in seminars, forums, roundtables, and in the development of training manuals, modules, and clinical protocols for physicians. To implement the National Programs and Strategies for Nutrition of Young and Older Children, 11 training manuals and 4 modules have been published in Russian, English, and the national language.
Over the past five years, the department's faculty have conducted two comprehensive training courses for physicians in the pediatric somatic departments of the Istiklol Medical Complex: "Nutrition of Young Children" (144 hours) and "Endocrinology of Children and Adolescents" (288 hours).
Educational work
Educational work at the department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases is one of the main tasks, carried out according to the approved plan. This includes various events held during curatorial hours, including open lessons, community service days, celebratory celebrations, and visits to museums, orphanages, and homes for the disabled. With the active participation of students and faculty, over the past five years alone, 247 open lessons have been held in three languages, with multimedia presentations on various topics, in groups taught in the Kazakh, Russian, and English languages. Department staff and students have visited Children's Homes No. 1 and No. 2, as well as the Home for the Disabled, three times.
During the curatorial hours, the annual messages of the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation and Head of State, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, will be discussed. Every day before practical classes, students receive a 10-minute discussion about proper dress code and current topics such as "Terrorism and Extremism," "Doctor's Ethics," "State Independence of the Republic of Tajikistan," "Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan," "National Flag Day of the Republic of Tajikistan," "Mother's Day," "Navruz," and others. Both ideological and educational work is conducted with students. Department staff members are on duty monthly at the university dormitories, where they discuss the most pressing issues with students, and faculty members monitor student living conditions.
Department staff members plan educational lessons, celebrations, and events on current topics and significant dates.
Department Staff Awards:
For their achievements in the field of science and practical medical care, the department's staff has been awarded the following awards by the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan:
Babaeva L.A. ("Excellence in the Healthcare Sector of the Republic of Tajikistan" - 2008, "Excellence in the Education Sector" - 2009, "Meritorious Service" Medal - 2013);
Yakubova Z.Kh. ("Excellence in the Healthcare Sector of the Republic of Tajikistan" - 2011);
Abdullaeva N.A. ("Excellence in the Healthcare Sector of the Republic of Tajikistan" - 2017);
Rahmonova G.A. ("Excellence in the Healthcare Sector of the Republic of Tajikistan" - 2018);
Khaydarova O.F. ("Excellence in the Healthcare Sector of the Republic of Tajikistan" - 2025).
Department achievements.
In 2021, the administration of the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University awarded the department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases with the honorary diploma "Best department of the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University."
