New Standards to Be Introduced in Healthcare; Support for Medical Professionals to Be Strengthened
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with healthcare and pharmaceutical sector workers at the Kuksaroy Residence.
The Head of State congratulated those present on their upcoming professional holiday and expressed gratitude for their selfless dedication to the health of the people.
"To live in a happy family, work honestly, achieve one's goals, and lead a meaningful life, a person first and foremost needs good health. That is why we have identified the protection of human health as one of the most critical priorities of our reforms," the President noted.
Over the past decade, new polyclinics and hospitals capable of serving 10 million people have been put into operation, and 58,000 hospital beds have been added. Thanks to an increase in the number of modern medical facilities and the development of the private sector, the volume of medical services has tripled. Today, more than 100 types of medical services—previously available only abroad—are provided within the country, including the treatment of congenital heart defects, organ transplantation, robotic surgeries, and highly complex neurosurgical procedures.
Plans are in place to meet 70 percent of the country's demand for pharmaceutical products through domestic production. In recent years, 330 new facilities have been launched in the pharmaceutical sector, with a total investment of $1 billion. Pharmaceutical-focused free economic zones have been established in the regions, where projects worth $1.2 billion are currently being implemented.
The President emphasized that more than 800,000 healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals are making a significant contribution to these transformations. A decree was recently signed to confer state awards upon a group of representatives from the sector. During the meeting, the Head of State ceremoniously presented these orders and medals. The Head of State has proposed the establishment of the "Ibn Sino" Order, intended for medical professionals who serve as exemplary figures in safeguarding public health, implementing advanced scientific developments, and applying modern treatment methods.
During the meeting, particular attention was paid to improving the quality of primary healthcare.
Under a new system—already piloted in 28 districts—7 million residents have been assigned to specific family physicians. Laboratories have been established, medical staff (doctors and nurses) have undergone training, and clear procedures for patients to access medical care have been defined. As part of a guaranteed package of medical services, 69 types of medications are now provided free of charge to outpatients. Plans are in place to roll out this model to an additional 100 districts starting next year.
Efforts toward the prevention and early detection of diseases will also be expanded. Screening programs for stomach, colon, prostate, and lung cancers will begin in Samarkand, with a nationwide rollout scheduled for 2028. Furthermore, the implementation of early-detection programs for diabetes, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, cancers in women, and onco-hematological conditions in children will continue.
A program for the early detection and treatment of heart attacks and strokes—piloted in five regions over the past five months—has resulted in a 15 percent reduction in mortality from these conditions. By ensuring medical intervention within the "golden hour," 855 individuals have been spared from premature death or disability.
Next year, this program will be extended to cover all districts and cities across the country. The number of medications provided to the public free of charge will increase to 73, and the number of types of medical examinations will rise to 36.
The sector will adopt "Medical Standards of New Uzbekistan," which encompass areas such as education, infrastructure, sanitation and hygiene, patient safety, and the professional conduct of healthcare workers. Primary healthcare staff will be provided with free, specialized work attire in a phased rollout. The practice of rewarding winners of "best doctor" and "best nurse" competitions will be expanded; 14 doctors who win at the regional level will be awarded electric vehicles. Additionally, the authors of the ten best projects aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle will each receive a grant of 200 million soums.
It has been noted that the quality of medical services depends, first and foremost, on the level of professional training of personnel.
"No matter how many modern clinics we build or how much state-of-the-art equipment we install, we will not achieve results without qualified specialists," the President emphasized.
Currently, 11 state higher education institutions train 15,000 doctors annually. Starting next year, students will spend three days a week learning how to work with patients, and those in their final year of study will dedicate their entire time to practical training within medical institutions.
Nurses who have completed a bachelor’s degree will receive an additional allowance of 1.5 million soums, while those with a master’s degree will receive 2.5 million soums. From 2027, residency training in specialized medical fields will be provided free of charge.
The private sector will also be involved in the professional development of medical staff. The state will cover the training costs for personnel working in primary healthcare and district-level medical facilities. A state registration system for medical and pharmaceutical professionals will be launched on July 1 of next year—initially on a voluntary basis—becoming mandatory by 2030. Doctors, pharmacists, and nurses who complete the registration process will be eligible for additional allowances.
New medical facilities will be established based on master plans that take into account population size and the location of settlements. In state hospitals, space will be allocated to private entrepreneurs for the installation of modern equipment, with services provided by them to be covered through the insurance system. The practice of procuring services—such as hemodialysis, laboratory diagnostics, sterilization, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy—from the private sector will be expanded.
A target has been set to attract at least 150 million dollars in investments and grants to each region over the coming year. The necessity of protecting human rights during medical research—in light of advancements in genomics, cellular technologies, and biotechnology—was underscored.
"In research concerning human life and health, an individual's rights, consent, and dignity must be the top priority," the President noted.
To this end, the legal framework governing bioethics and biotechnology will be strengthened. In collaboration with Harvard Medical School, specialists in hereditary diseases will be trained, and genetic testing will be implemented.
To extend the expertise of specialized centers to the regions, multidisciplinary medical teams—comprising surgeons, anesthesiologists, resuscitation specialists, assistants, and nurses—will be deployed to these areas. Conversely, medical teams from the regions will undergo three-to-four-month internships at these specialized centers.
Starting next year, one-year contracts will be established with the directors of 26 specialized medical centers. Their performance will be evaluated based on the introduction of industry innovations, the professional development of primary healthcare staff, and the practical application of scientific research. A mechanism will be established to allow the public to evaluate the performance of hospitals and clinics. The level of public satisfaction with the quality of medical services will become the primary criterion for determining the salaries of doctors and nurses.
Beginning next year, ten artificial intelligence systems will be launched in fields including cardiology, hepatology, ophthalmology, and hematology.
The need to revitalize medical associations was highlighted, with a shift toward a system in which association leaders are elected by their members for two-to-three-year terms.
Social support measures for healthcare workers were also announced. A total of 50 billion soums will be allocated to help partially repay the mortgage loans of staff members who have worked in the sector for at least 15 years. Thanks to this measure, one thousand healthcare workers will be able to move into new housing next year. Plans are in place to cover 25 percent of the down payment on mortgage loans for 500 young professionals annually. The monthly supplementary allowance for doctors working in remote areas will be increased to 4.5 million soums. Additionally, a one-time payment of 50 million soums is provided for them.
A new system will also be introduced to attract compatriots—doctors who have gained experience in clinics abroad—back to our country. Plans include providing them with a monthly allowance of up to 50 million soums, as well as establishing the necessary conditions for their workspaces, granting them access to modern equipment, and allowing them to personally select their own team of specialists.
During the meeting, proposals and initiatives from representatives of the sector were heard. Those responsible have been tasked with implementing the set objectives and jointly developing the proposals that were put forward.
"I ask only one thing: that every healthcare professional ask themselves, 'What have I managed to do better today than I did yesterday for the health of the people?' If each of us works while striving to find an answer to this question every single day, it will lead to significant changes—both within the healthcare system and in the overall health of our nation," the Head of State said, concluding the meeting.
"To live in a happy family, work honestly, achieve one's goals, and lead a meaningful life, a person first and foremost needs good health. That is why we have identified the protection of human health as one of the most critical priorities of our reforms," the President noted.
Over the past decade, new polyclinics and hospitals capable of serving 10 million people have been put into operation, and 58,000 hospital beds have been added. Thanks to an increase in the number of modern medical facilities and the development of the private sector, the volume of medical services has tripled. Today, more than 100 types of medical services—previously available only abroad—are provided within the country, including the treatment of congenital heart defects, organ transplantation, robotic surgeries, and highly complex neurosurgical procedures.
Plans are in place to meet 70 percent of the country's demand for pharmaceutical products through domestic production. In recent years, 330 new facilities have been launched in the pharmaceutical sector, with a total investment of $1 billion. Pharmaceutical-focused free economic zones have been established in the regions, where projects worth $1.2 billion are currently being implemented.
The President emphasized that more than 800,000 healthcare and pharmaceutical professionals are making a significant contribution to these transformations. A decree was recently signed to confer state awards upon a group of representatives from the sector. During the meeting, the Head of State ceremoniously presented these orders and medals. The Head of State has proposed the establishment of the "Ibn Sino" Order, intended for medical professionals who serve as exemplary figures in safeguarding public health, implementing advanced scientific developments, and applying modern treatment methods.
During the meeting, particular attention was paid to improving the quality of primary healthcare.
Under a new system—already piloted in 28 districts—7 million residents have been assigned to specific family physicians. Laboratories have been established, medical staff (doctors and nurses) have undergone training, and clear procedures for patients to access medical care have been defined. As part of a guaranteed package of medical services, 69 types of medications are now provided free of charge to outpatients. Plans are in place to roll out this model to an additional 100 districts starting next year.
Efforts toward the prevention and early detection of diseases will also be expanded. Screening programs for stomach, colon, prostate, and lung cancers will begin in Samarkand, with a nationwide rollout scheduled for 2028. Furthermore, the implementation of early-detection programs for diabetes, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, cancers in women, and onco-hematological conditions in children will continue.
A program for the early detection and treatment of heart attacks and strokes—piloted in five regions over the past five months—has resulted in a 15 percent reduction in mortality from these conditions. By ensuring medical intervention within the "golden hour," 855 individuals have been spared from premature death or disability.
Next year, this program will be extended to cover all districts and cities across the country. The number of medications provided to the public free of charge will increase to 73, and the number of types of medical examinations will rise to 36.
The sector will adopt "Medical Standards of New Uzbekistan," which encompass areas such as education, infrastructure, sanitation and hygiene, patient safety, and the professional conduct of healthcare workers. Primary healthcare staff will be provided with free, specialized work attire in a phased rollout. The practice of rewarding winners of "best doctor" and "best nurse" competitions will be expanded; 14 doctors who win at the regional level will be awarded electric vehicles. Additionally, the authors of the ten best projects aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle will each receive a grant of 200 million soums.
It has been noted that the quality of medical services depends, first and foremost, on the level of professional training of personnel.
"No matter how many modern clinics we build or how much state-of-the-art equipment we install, we will not achieve results without qualified specialists," the President emphasized.
Currently, 11 state higher education institutions train 15,000 doctors annually. Starting next year, students will spend three days a week learning how to work with patients, and those in their final year of study will dedicate their entire time to practical training within medical institutions.
Nurses who have completed a bachelor’s degree will receive an additional allowance of 1.5 million soums, while those with a master’s degree will receive 2.5 million soums. From 2027, residency training in specialized medical fields will be provided free of charge.
The private sector will also be involved in the professional development of medical staff. The state will cover the training costs for personnel working in primary healthcare and district-level medical facilities. A state registration system for medical and pharmaceutical professionals will be launched on July 1 of next year—initially on a voluntary basis—becoming mandatory by 2030. Doctors, pharmacists, and nurses who complete the registration process will be eligible for additional allowances.
New medical facilities will be established based on master plans that take into account population size and the location of settlements. In state hospitals, space will be allocated to private entrepreneurs for the installation of modern equipment, with services provided by them to be covered through the insurance system. The practice of procuring services—such as hemodialysis, laboratory diagnostics, sterilization, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy—from the private sector will be expanded.
A target has been set to attract at least 150 million dollars in investments and grants to each region over the coming year. The necessity of protecting human rights during medical research—in light of advancements in genomics, cellular technologies, and biotechnology—was underscored.
"In research concerning human life and health, an individual's rights, consent, and dignity must be the top priority," the President noted.
To this end, the legal framework governing bioethics and biotechnology will be strengthened. In collaboration with Harvard Medical School, specialists in hereditary diseases will be trained, and genetic testing will be implemented.
To extend the expertise of specialized centers to the regions, multidisciplinary medical teams—comprising surgeons, anesthesiologists, resuscitation specialists, assistants, and nurses—will be deployed to these areas. Conversely, medical teams from the regions will undergo three-to-four-month internships at these specialized centers.
Starting next year, one-year contracts will be established with the directors of 26 specialized medical centers. Their performance will be evaluated based on the introduction of industry innovations, the professional development of primary healthcare staff, and the practical application of scientific research. A mechanism will be established to allow the public to evaluate the performance of hospitals and clinics. The level of public satisfaction with the quality of medical services will become the primary criterion for determining the salaries of doctors and nurses.
Beginning next year, ten artificial intelligence systems will be launched in fields including cardiology, hepatology, ophthalmology, and hematology.
The need to revitalize medical associations was highlighted, with a shift toward a system in which association leaders are elected by their members for two-to-three-year terms.
Social support measures for healthcare workers were also announced. A total of 50 billion soums will be allocated to help partially repay the mortgage loans of staff members who have worked in the sector for at least 15 years. Thanks to this measure, one thousand healthcare workers will be able to move into new housing next year. Plans are in place to cover 25 percent of the down payment on mortgage loans for 500 young professionals annually. The monthly supplementary allowance for doctors working in remote areas will be increased to 4.5 million soums. Additionally, a one-time payment of 50 million soums is provided for them.
A new system will also be introduced to attract compatriots—doctors who have gained experience in clinics abroad—back to our country. Plans include providing them with a monthly allowance of up to 50 million soums, as well as establishing the necessary conditions for their workspaces, granting them access to modern equipment, and allowing them to personally select their own team of specialists.
During the meeting, proposals and initiatives from representatives of the sector were heard. Those responsible have been tasked with implementing the set objectives and jointly developing the proposals that were put forward.
"I ask only one thing: that every healthcare professional ask themselves, 'What have I managed to do better today than I did yesterday for the health of the people?' If each of us works while striving to find an answer to this question every single day, it will lead to significant changes—both within the healthcare system and in the overall health of our nation," the Head of State said, concluding the meeting.
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