Oncology services and palliative care system to be enhanced

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals to improve oncological and hematological care, enhance the palliative care system, and strengthen support for employees of public healthcare institutions.

In Uzbekistan, systematic efforts are underway to protect public health and ensure the early detection and effective treatment of serious diseases. In this regard, providing specialized medical care to patients with oncological, hematological, and onco-hematological diseases, as well as developing palliative and hospice services, is of particular importance.

The presentation reviewed measures developed to improve the prevention, early detection, and treatment of oncological diseases in line with international standards.

The goal is to increase coverage of targeted screenings for the most common types of cancer to 60 percent of the population and raise the five-year survival rate among cancer patients from 35 percent to at least 45 percent.

To achieve this, starting from 2027, a National Cancer Control Program developed with the participation of the World Health Organization and international experts will be gradually implemented across the regions.

As part of the program, oncology awareness among primary healthcare workers will be strengthened. They will undergo additional training to identify the early signs of cancer and ensure the timely referral of patients to specialized institutions.

In addition, clinical guidelines based on international recommendations will be adopted. A multidisciplinary approach to oncology care will be introduced, bringing together specialists from different fields to participate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Programs for the early detection of the most common cancers will be developed and gradually implemented. Rapid diagnostic pathways will also be established to accelerate examinations and shorten the time required for diagnosis.

Particular attention will be paid to modernizing radiation therapy services. Outdated cobalt therapy units will be gradually replaced with modern linear accelerators, while the capacity for high-dose brachytherapy will be expanded.

The development of palliative and hospice care was considered separately. By 2030, it is planned to increase coverage of these services to at least 80 percent.

To achieve this, starting from September 1, 2026, a unified system for the provision of palliative and hospice care will be established nationwide through the integration of medical and social services. The identification, referral, registration, and support of individuals requiring palliative care will be carried out through an electronic information system.

Mobile palliative care teams providing medical and social services at home will be established. Inpatient palliative care services will be provided by both public and private medical institutions, as well as hospices.

Based on the needs of the population, hospice institutions will be gradually established across all regions. The Interregional Hospice of Tashkent city will be designated as the responsible institution for the methodological management of palliative and hospice care, and for assisting in the organization of this type of service in the regions.

Initially, mobile palliative care teams will be established in Tashkent’s Mirzo-Ulugbek district to provide services to patients requiring palliative and hospice care due to oncological diseases. In the Samarkand region, a hospice-based palliative care center for children with severe and incurable illnesses will be opened.

Patients registered in the electronic information system as requiring palliative and hospice care will be granted disability status by decision of a medical and social expert commission without additional medical examinations or assessments. Patients requiring home-based care will be provided with functional beds and specialized mattresses through a voucher system.

It is also planned to create opportunities for providing palliative care and home-based care and supervision services at the mahalla level, as well as to introduce a "Family Support" service for family members of patients.

The presentation also discussed measures to further improve the system of medical care for patients with hematological and onco-hematological diseases.

In 2026-2030, the share of early detection of these diseases is expected to increase from the current 30-40 percent to 60 percent. Measures will also be taken to reduce the period between diagnosis and transplantation from six months to three months.

Measures are planned to ensure full coverage of patients with hematological diseases through specialized medical care, as well as to introduce hematopoietic stem cell transplantation services in the regions.

The presentation also addressed issues of material support for medical and pharmaceutical workers of state medical institutions. In particular, it was proposed to partially compensate annual tuition fees for the children of employees with at least 15 years of service who are enrolled in bachelor's degree programs at higher education institutions, as well as part of the down payment when purchasing housing through a mortgage loan.

The Head of State approved the proposals and instructed responsible officials to ensure their effective implementation, expand access to oncological and hematological care in the regions, and introduce modern diagnostic and treatment technologies.