The effectiveness of reforms in the healthcare system is analyzed, priority tasks for the future are identified

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting with medical and pharmaceutical workers on November 10.

The head of state cordially congratulated those present on the Day of Medical Workers and expressed deep respect to all doctors, nurses and specialists in the field.

Given the role of pharmaceuticals in modern medicine, it was proposed to henceforth celebrate this holiday as the “Day of Medical and Pharmaceutical Workers.”

At the meeting, issues that need to be addressed were discussed, new challenges and opportunities were identified.

Over the past five Over the years, 7.5 trillion soums have been allocated to specialized medical centers; they are equipped with thousands of units of modern equipment. Despite this, only 25 percent of the equipment is used.

It is indicated that specialized centers, regional and district administrations and health departments should give priority to digitalization, searching for foreign partners, updating clinical protocols, introducing advanced diagnostics, prevention and treatment, as well as forming modern professional teams.

The need to analyze the situation for each mahalla has been identified and region: where the incidence is increasing, where it is decreasing, and based on this, work according to clear plans for prevention and treatment. It was especially emphasized that it is important to ensure the effective use of expensive equipment purchased at large expense.

– Today, people’s attitude towards life, their demands and needs, and worldview have changed. This poses new challenges for us to improve quality and introduce modern approaches in medicine. Therefore, we will introduce a system in which the voice of the people will be heard,” said the head of state.

Now directors of 26 specialized centers, heads of regional and district health care and heads of family clinics will work according to specific monthly plans.

Heads of the centers will travel to the most problematic areas and mahallas, work there for a month, studying the causes of morbidity, proposing solutions and training doctors in regional hospitals and clinics in methods treatment.

From now on, daily receptions of heads of regional and district healthcare will be held at the mahalla level.

It is indicated that every head of the healthcare system - in the region and district, the chief physician and the head of the clinic - is obliged to ensure attentive attention to the patient and create conditions for receiving assistance as soon as possible.

Starting the new year, a new procedure for appointing directors of 26 centers, heads of regional and district health care units, and heads of family clinics will be introduced. In all medical institutions, the positions of head and chief physician will be separated. Entrepreneurs with managerial training and proven results will be appointed to leadership positions.

The incentive system will also be changed. The best regional and district healthcare units and heads of family clinics will be awarded the title “Honored Health Worker of Uzbekistan”, awarded orders and medals, as well as cash bonuses in the amount of 30 million soums. To improve the infrastructure of the institutions they manage, 500 million soums will be allocated.

In each region, the two best leaders - the district department and the family clinic - will be sent for management training in the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Korea and Turkey.

– Continuing the reforms of medical education, we must develop the institution of a family doctor capable of providing qualified care to all family members, the President said.

Starting from the next academic year, medical universities will open faculties of general medicine, combining the areas of pediatrics and general medicine. Residency and master's programs in family medicine will be launched.

Residency students will study for free and at the same time work as family doctors. After completing the residency, the graduate will receive a diploma in a narrow specialty and a 150 percent increase in salary.

In the undergraduate program, students’ knowledge will be assessed in fundamental and clinical disciplines, and after completing the residency, doctors will pass an exam in their specialty, then state registration, and only then will they receive the right to practice medicine.

It is noted that It is necessary to train nurses who will help the doctor not only with simple procedures, but also with diagnosis, treatment and prevention. The Academy of Nursing will be transferred to the structure of the Tashkent State Medical University and on its basis the Higher Academy of Professional Medicine will be created.

Starting next year, the direction of “higher nursing” will be opened in all medical universities with doubling quotas, and from 2027 they will increase annually by no less than 20 percent. Nurses with higher education will receive a 100 percent salary increase. At the same time, the training system for paramedical personnel will be modernized.

It is emphasized that a modern doctor must master the latest technologies, diagnostic and treatment methods and constantly work on himself.

In this regard, a new system of continuous training of medical workers is being created. Starting next year, such types of advanced training as distance learning, using a robot simulator, and self-paced on-the-job training will be introduced. To develop requirements and evaluation criteria, a Center for Continuing Professional Medical Education will be created.

The head of state noted that 30 percent of medical services are already provided by the private sector and many advanced initiatives come from it, emphasizing the readiness to consider proposals to expand public-private partnerships.

Support for private medicine will continue. Starting next year, the benefit for the import of medical equipment and ambulances will be extended for three years.

The benefit for refunding part of the VAT, which is valid for catering enterprises, will be extended to private medical organizations. To create and equip modern multidisciplinary clinics, entrepreneurs will be allocated a preferential credit line in the amount of $200 million.

The President also announced additional benefits and support measures reflected in the decree “On measures to support medical and pharmaceutical workers” signed the day before.

During the meeting, an open dialogue took place, proposals and opinions of representatives of the sector were heard.

– I consider the white coat not just a symbol of the profession, but a sign of boundless devotion to the Motherland. We will continue to protect the honor and dignity of every medical worker and create decent conditions for them. I am confident that together we will transform New Uzbekistan into a state with a developed healthcare system,” the President said at the end of the meeting.