Shavkat Mirziyoyev Reviews Proposals for Early Disease Detection and Healthcare Improvements
Tashkent, The Gulf Observer: On November 14, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed proposals aimed at enhancing early detection and effective treatment of diseases, underscoring Uzbekistan’s commitment to improving healthcare services nationwide.
During the presentation, President Mirziyoyev was briefed on significant advancements in the country’s healthcare system. Over the past seven years, funding allocated to the healthcare sector has increased sixfold, enabling the implementation of high-tech medical procedures in regional and district-level hospitals. More than 400 complex operations, previously limited to the capital city of Tashkent, are now being conducted across Uzbekistan.
To further enhance early detection, specialized centers in oncology, endocrinology, and cardiology have been carrying out extensive screening programs. In a notable initiative, 1.7 million women were screened for potential precancerous conditions, resulting in the early identification of 49,000 cases. In addition, 122,000 individuals were diagnosed with cardiovascular diseases and diabetes at an early stage in the first half of this year.
Addressing the challenge of late disease detection, the President introduced a pilot program in Kashkadarya region, offering a bonus of 2 million UZS for each case of early detection of oncological diseases. As a result, family doctors identified early signs of cancer in 51 women and children, ultimately saving the government 8 billion UZS in treatment costs.
The presentation also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve disease screening, particularly for breast and uterine cancers, which make up 20-25 percent of all oncology cases. Plans were announced to expand screening programs and maintain comprehensive disease registries, along with the completion of three-year programs focusing on early detection and treatment of hematological, cardiological, and endocrinological diseases.
In addition to these healthcare advancements, the President acknowledged challenges in the centralized procurement system for medicines, where some hospitals faced shortages while others over-purchased. To address this, a new system for procurement based on fifteen-month demand forecasts is being proposed, with plans for a centralized Procurement Center and 13 regional branches under the Ministry of Health.
Another key proposal aims to increase support for blood donors, with the cash reward for holders of the “Honorary Donor of the Republic of Uzbekistan” badge set to rise from 5 to 15 basic calculation units. Donors will also be granted benefits such as free public transport and priority treatment in state sanatoriums.
The new healthcare initiatives, including the updated donor support program, are scheduled to be implemented starting January 1, 2025. Additionally, President Mirziyoyev discussed the need to introduce a formal procedure for reporting the country’s sanitary and phytosanitary measures to the World Trade Organization.
