Development of the state administration bodies providing healthcare in Russian Turkestan (1867–1917)

By the 19th century, Russia had clinical medicine and provided essential healthcare services to its population. In newly acquired regions, the imperial government acted as an active transmitter of medical knowledge and billed it as beneficial for everyone. Since Russian Turkestan (Turkestan Governorate-General) was remote and lacked local pharmacies or medical facilities at that time, a unique healthcare management system was developed there. Using the materials of the Russian State Military Historical Archive and the Complete Collection of the Laws of the Russian Empire, this article examines the main differences in the delivery of healthcare services between Russian Turkestan and other parts of the Russian Empire during the period between 1867 and 1917. The results show that the region’s healthcare was managed by the military-controlled public authorities (i.e., the military department controlled all civil affairs, including medical administration). The key managing body was the District Military Medical Directorate headed by the local chief medical officer.