President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, by his Dec. 18 decree, approved the concept and program of measures aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases, supporting healthy lifestyles and increasing the level of physical activity of the public for 2019-2022.

The document states that in Uzbekistan there is no effective system aimed at preventing diseases and improving public health, and there is a lack of concerted measures to maintain healthy lifestyles, diets and physical activity among the public.

Due to the low level of medical and sanitary-hygienic culture, the focus is put on the treatment of diseases, rather than to their prevention, the decree underscored.

In line with the decree, the Center for Supporting a Healthy Lifestyle and Increasing Physical Activity of the Population, part of the Ministry of Health, with territorial branches in all provinces, shall be created in place of the Republican Educational and Scientific Center of Dietology at the Tashkent Medical Academy.

The center will be engaged in the implementation of targeted programs for supporting healthy lifestyles, prevention and fighting against non-communicable diseases and their risk factors, holding mass events to promote healthy lifestyles, fighting bad habits, developing the medical culture among the public, integrating sports with preventive medicine.

The Cabinet of Ministers was instructed to take additional measures to limit the use of alcohol and tobacco products by December 1, 2019 after public consultation. In particular, it is planned to increase penalties for the use of alcohol and tobacco products in public places, as well as to introduce responsibility for the failure of authorized persons to take measures to limit the use of these products.

The requirements of clinical protocols, standards and recommendations of the World Health Organization on hypertension, diabetes, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other non-infectious diseases will be introduced into the practice of all primary health care institutions.

The Ministry of Health has been instructed to approve the procedure and criteria for classifying food products with high content of fats, salt and sugar. It is planned to limit the import, production (manufacture) and sale of foods with a high content of fats, salt and sugar.

Gymnastic exercises shall be held in state bodies and organizations during the business day and at least once a week - the day of health. On this day, workers shall be engaged in sports activities (jogging, swimming, football, volleyball, basketball, tennis and others). It is planned to hold regular sports competitions, the decree concluded.