Today, president Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a series of proposals aimed at advancing Uzbekistan’s healthcare system, elevating service quality, and broadening the role of the private sector.
The presentation highlighted the increasingly vital contribution of private medicine to the national healthcare landscape. Statistics revealed a dramatic shift: while Uzbekistan had only 3,200 private clinics in 2016, that figure is projected to climb to 8,700 by the end of 2026. The scope of private medical services has also expanded from 39 to 116 specialized fields, while the total bed capacity has surged from 16,000 to 57,000. By the end of this period, the private sector's share of the national bed fund is expected to rise from 12% to 31%.
Furthermore, the presentation noted a lack of centralized data, as information regarding private clinic operations is not yet integrated into a unified digital system. It was also mentioned that more focused, strategic management is needed to effectively oversee and support private investment projects in the sector.
In light of these findings, new strategies were presented to encourage greater private sector participation while simultaneously increasing accountability.
Specifically, the presentation has proposed that all medical licensing functions be transferred to the Center for Licensing and Accreditation of Medical Organizations. Starting July 1, 2026, licensing procedures are set to become more stringent; 14 out of the 48 existing requirements will be overhauled to prioritize patient safety and the quality of care.
At the same time, there is a proposal to move away from the practice of completely shutting down multidisciplinary clinics. Instead, restrictive measures will be applied only to the specific departments or service areas where violations have been identified.
Plans are also in place to strengthen oversight regarding the compliance of medical organizations with licensing requirements and conditions. This will be achieved by establishing remote monitoring through an electronic information system.
Furthermore, it is proposed that private medical organizations be allowed to provide medical services funded by the state across all fields within the scope of their existing licenses. Accredited private institutions may also be granted permission to perform transplant activities.
Starting in 2028, the Insurance Fund will cease the procurement of medical services from private and republican state medical institutions that have not successfully completed the accreditation process.
Specific deadlines have been established for the mandatory licensing of state-run medical facilities. Under the new timeline, 55 national-level institutions must secure licenses by April 1, 2027. This will be followed by 413 regional facilities by the end of 2028, and over 3,000 district and municipal state medical organizations by the end of 2030.
The presentation also outlined economic support measures designed to stimulate private medicine. Notably, $200 million in low-interest credit resources will be allocated to encourage the opening of new clinics in remote regions. Individual projects may receive up to $10 million for a 10-year term, with the government covering 50% of the base interest rate.
To further attract expertise and investment, it was proposed to set a social tax rate of just 1% for foreign specialists and to provide customs exemptions on medical equipment and its components.
Additionally, on November 4, the government approved new regulations for budget-funded medical care in both the public and private sectors. According to these rules, state-funded assistance is now provided via electronic referrals equipped with QR codes. These referrals empower patients to choose between a state or private facility for their scheduled inpatient treatment.
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