Oncology services and palliative care systems will be improved
Uzbekistan
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation of proposals for improving the oncology and hematology medical care system, palliative care services, and financial support for employees of public healthcare institutions.
Our country is systematically working to protect public health, early detection, and effective treatment of serious illnesses. In this context, providing specialized medical care to patients with oncological, hematological, and oncohematological diseases, as well as developing palliative and hospice services, is of paramount importance.
The presentation discussed measures developed to improve the system of prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer based on international standards.
As noted, the goal is to increase the coverage of targeted medical screenings for the most common types of cancer to 60 percent, and to increase the five-year survival rate among cancer patients from 35 to at least 45 percent.
To this end, starting in 2027, the National Cancer Control Program, developed with the participation of the World Health Organization and international experts, will be gradually implemented in the regions.
This program will increase the level of oncological awareness among primary care workers. They will undergo retraining in identifying early signs of cancer and promptly referring patients to specialized facilities.
Furthermore, clinical guidelines based on international recommendations will be adopted. A multidisciplinary team approach will be implemented in oncology – a strategy for diagnosis and treatment involving several specialists.
Early diagnosis programs for the most common types of cancer will be developed and gradually implemented. Plans are underway to establish accelerated diagnostic programs, allowing for rapid patient examination and diagnosis.
Particular attention will be paid to modernizing radiation therapy services. In particular, outdated cobalt devices will be gradually replaced with modern linear accelerators, and high-dose-rate brachytherapy capabilities will be expanded. The development of palliative and hospice care was separately addressed. By 2030, it is planned to increase the coverage of the population with these types of care to at least 80 percent.
To this end, a unified system for providing palliative and hospice care will be established in the country beginning September 1, 2026, based on the integration of medical and social services. The processes of identifying, referring, registering, and providing services to individuals in need of palliative care will be implemented through an electronic information system.
Mobile palliative care teams will be established to provide medical and social services at home. Inpatient palliative care will be provided by state and non-state medical organizations, as well as hospices.
Based on the needs of the population, hospice institutions will be gradually established in all regions. The Tashkent Interregional Hospice will be designated as the responsible institution for the methodological management of palliative and hospice care and to facilitate the organization of these services in the regions.
Initially, mobile palliative care teams will be established in the Mirzo-Ulugbek district of Tashkent to provide services to patients in need of palliative and hospice care due to oncological diseases. A hospice-style palliative care center will be opened in the Samarkand region for children with severe and incurable illnesses.
Patients registered in the electronic information system as requiring palliative and hospice care will be granted disability status by a medical and social expert commission without further medical examinations or screenings. Patients requiring home care will be provided with functional beds and special mattresses through a voucher system.
Furthermore, opportunities for palliative care and home care services will be created at the mahalla level, and a "Family Support" service will be introduced for patients' family members.
The presentation also discussed measures to further improve the system of medical care for patients with hematological and oncohematological diseases.
Between 2026 and 2030, it is planned to increase the rate of early detection of such diseases from the current 30-40 percent to 60 percent. Measures will be taken to reduce the period between diagnosis and transplantation from six to three months.
The plan calls for 100% coverage of patients with hematological diseases with specialized medical care, as well as the introduction of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the regions.
The presentation also addressed financial support for medical and pharmaceutical workers in public healthcare institutions. Specifically, workers with at least 15 years of experience are offered partial reimbursement of the cost of their children's annual undergraduate education contracts, as well as a portion of the down payment on mortgages.
The head of state approved the proposals and gave instructions for the high-quality implementation of the measures discussed, increasing access to oncology and hematology care in the regions, and implementing modern diagnostic and treatment technologies.
The presentation discussed measures developed to improve the system of prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancer based on international standards.
As noted, the goal is to increase the coverage of targeted medical screenings for the most common types of cancer to 60 percent, and to increase the five-year survival rate among cancer patients from 35 to at least 45 percent.
To this end, starting in 2027, the National Cancer Control Program, developed with the participation of the World Health Organization and international experts, will be gradually implemented in the regions.
This program will increase the level of oncological awareness among primary care workers. They will undergo retraining in identifying early signs of cancer and promptly referring patients to specialized facilities.
Furthermore, clinical guidelines based on international recommendations will be adopted. A multidisciplinary team approach will be implemented in oncology – a strategy for diagnosis and treatment involving several specialists.
Early diagnosis programs for the most common types of cancer will be developed and gradually implemented. Plans are underway to establish accelerated diagnostic programs, allowing for rapid patient examination and diagnosis.
Particular attention will be paid to modernizing radiation therapy services. In particular, outdated cobalt devices will be gradually replaced with modern linear accelerators, and high-dose-rate brachytherapy capabilities will be expanded. The development of palliative and hospice care was separately addressed. By 2030, it is planned to increase the coverage of the population with these types of care to at least 80 percent.
To this end, a unified system for providing palliative and hospice care will be established in the country beginning September 1, 2026, based on the integration of medical and social services. The processes of identifying, referring, registering, and providing services to individuals in need of palliative care will be implemented through an electronic information system.
Mobile palliative care teams will be established to provide medical and social services at home. Inpatient palliative care will be provided by state and non-state medical organizations, as well as hospices.
Based on the needs of the population, hospice institutions will be gradually established in all regions. The Tashkent Interregional Hospice will be designated as the responsible institution for the methodological management of palliative and hospice care and to facilitate the organization of these services in the regions.
Initially, mobile palliative care teams will be established in the Mirzo-Ulugbek district of Tashkent to provide services to patients in need of palliative and hospice care due to oncological diseases. A hospice-style palliative care center will be opened in the Samarkand region for children with severe and incurable illnesses.
Patients registered in the electronic information system as requiring palliative and hospice care will be granted disability status by a medical and social expert commission without further medical examinations or screenings. Patients requiring home care will be provided with functional beds and special mattresses through a voucher system.
Furthermore, opportunities for palliative care and home care services will be created at the mahalla level, and a "Family Support" service will be introduced for patients' family members.
The presentation also discussed measures to further improve the system of medical care for patients with hematological and oncohematological diseases.
Between 2026 and 2030, it is planned to increase the rate of early detection of such diseases from the current 30-40 percent to 60 percent. Measures will be taken to reduce the period between diagnosis and transplantation from six to three months.
The plan calls for 100% coverage of patients with hematological diseases with specialized medical care, as well as the introduction of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in the regions.
The presentation also addressed financial support for medical and pharmaceutical workers in public healthcare institutions. Specifically, workers with at least 15 years of experience are offered partial reimbursement of the cost of their children's annual undergraduate education contracts, as well as a portion of the down payment on mortgages.
The head of state approved the proposals and gave instructions for the high-quality implementation of the measures discussed, increasing access to oncology and hematology care in the regions, and implementing modern diagnostic and treatment technologies.
Powered by Froala Editor