The Republican Specialized Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Pediatrics of Uzbekistan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Medical University of Vienna, one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious medical institutions. The agreement paves the way for introducing European diagnostic and treatment protocols for childhood diseases in Uzbekistan, the center's press service reported.
The collaboration spans four key areas: medical training, joint research initiatives, the advancement of healthcare management systems, and institutional capacity building. Specifically, the framework includes fellowships for Uzbek doctors in Vienna, visiting professorships, and joint scientific publications with European partners, including the St. Anna Children's Hospital (St. Anna Kinderspital)—a world-class hub for pediatric oncology and translational pediatrics.
A core component of the agreement will be the implementation of clinical protocols and standards established by leading European professional societies within Uzbekistan. These will focus on guidelines for pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, infectious diseases, intensive care and neonatology, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatology, and immunodeficiencies.
In terms of diagnostics, the partnership aims to harmonize laboratory, radiological, and functional testing algorithms. It also covers the introduction of comprehensive neonatal and infant screenings, advanced imaging protocols, and expanded diagnostic panels for rare pediatric diseases.
In terms of patient care, the focus will shift toward updated European guidelines for pediatric oncohematology (in direct collaboration with St. Anna Kinderspital), rheumatology, gastroenterology, infectious diseases, and rare disorders, alongside the implementation of standard operating procedures for intensive care and neonatal assistance.
A separate track of the agreement addresses patient care quality and safety, introducing clinical governance, quality management, and patient safety systems modeled after major Austrian medical centers.
"The primary practical value of this memorandum lies in the opportunity to systematically integrate European standards for diagnosing and treating childhood diseases here in Uzbekistan. Our pediatricians are gaining direct access to up-to-date clinical protocols, the academic legacy of one of Europe's oldest medical universities, and the unparalleled expertise of St. Anna Kinderspital. Ultimately, this ensures that an Uzbek child will receive medical care based on the exact same standards utilized by the finest clinics across the continent," stated Abdumannon Abdukayumov, Director of the National Pediatrics Center.
During the visit, agreements were also signed with the Austrian company MED-EL to facilitate a comprehensive technology transfer for cochlear implantation. This package includes a digital preoperative planning system, a robotic insertion tool, a surgical console, and an intraoperative monitoring system.
The National Pediatrics Center is expected to become the first medical institution across Central Asia and the CIS to be equipped with the complete MED-EL digital suite for precision cochlear implantation. This cutting-edge infrastructure will significantly enhance surgical accuracy and improve speech and hearing rehabilitation outcomes for children suffering from severe sensorineural hearing loss.
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