Uzbekistan’s Healthcare Revolution: From Soviet Legacy to Modern Hub
Uzbekistan is undergoing a dramatic transformation of its healthcare system, fueled by substantial investment and a commitment to modernization. Once burdened by a Soviet-era infrastructure, the nation is rapidly adopting digital technologies, expanding private sector involvement and prioritizing preventative care to improve health outcomes for its 35 million citizens.
A Multi-Billion Euro Investment in Health
Between 2021 and 2025, the Uzbek government invested approximately €16.3 billion in healthcare, with €3.2 billion allocated in 2025 alone. This funding is directed towards modernizing infrastructure, expanding services, enhancing medical education, and fostering the growth of the private healthcare sector. This commitment reflects the ambitious goals outlined in the national development strategy, “Uzbekistan-2030,” which aims to increase the country’s GDP and achieve upper-middle income status by 2030.
The Rise of Digital Healthcare: DMED and Beyond
A cornerstone of Uzbekistan’s healthcare reform is the implementation of digital systems. The unified national electronic information system, DMED, has collected medical data from around 37 million citizens, creating a single electronic medical card (MED-ID) for each individual. This system streamlines access to patient data, facilitates appointment scheduling, provides access to test results and electronic prescriptions via a mobile app, and improves coordination between healthcare providers.
Olim Omonov, Deputy Minister of Health, emphasized that the digital system “enables more efficient access to patient data and better coordination between hospitals and primary care facilities.” In the Yunusobod district of Tashkent, the digitization of processes has reduced paperwork and significantly shortened laboratory procedures, allowing doctors to spend more time with patients.
Artificial Intelligence: The Next Frontier
Looking ahead, Uzbekistan plans to launch over ten AI-based healthcare projects in 2026. These initiatives will focus on improving infrastructure and training more than 200,000 specialists to effectively utilize the new systems.
Specialized Care: The National Children’s Hospital Center
The National Children’s Hospital Center, established with support from South Korea, represents a significant achievement in Uzbekistan’s healthcare modernization. The center now performs complex pediatric surgeries, including liver and bone marrow transplants, and laparoscopic kidney operations, procedures previously unavailable within the country. Stam cell isolation from peripheral blood is now performed domestically, reducing the need for costly medical travel abroad.
The center has earned accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI), a globally recognized standard for healthcare quality, becoming the first public medical facility in Uzbekistan to achieve this distinction. Baxtiyorjon Umarov, the center’s director, noted that bone marrow transplants for children with cancer are now performed locally, eliminating the financial burden on families.
The Expanding Role of the Private Sector
Uzbekistan’s private healthcare sector has more than tripled in size over the past eight years, growing from approximately 3,000-3,500 clinics in 2017 to over 9,000 by 2025. Private providers now account for 30-35% of all healthcare services. Public-private partnerships are playing a crucial role in this expansion, with organizations like the International Finance Corporation supporting modernization projects.
M-Clinic, a leading private multi-specialty center in Tashkent, offers over 1,000 medical services across more than 20 specialties. The clinic provides comprehensive care and has received national accreditation for meeting state quality standards.
Investing in the Future: Medical Education Reform
Uzbekistan is too reforming its medical education system to align with international standards. The Tashkent State Medical University and the Urgench State Medical Institute now offer integrated programs, including bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, clinical residency programs, and continuing education courses, many of which are internationally accredited.
A key innovation is the introduction of state-of-the-art simulation centers. Dinora Parpibayeva, Head of Clinical Simulation, explained that students practice essential skills in realistic scenarios, including first aid, pediatrics, surgery, and obstetrics, before interacting with real patients. These centers are also integrating artificial intelligence and digital technologies to enhance diagnostic training and clinical assessment.
Extending Quality Care to Regional Areas
Although major cities are leading the modernization efforts, healthcare access is also improving in regional areas. Uzbekistan has established 231 maternity centers and 46 perinatal centers equipped with ventilators, incubators, and intensive care monitors, representing a total investment of €40.46 million. Retinal camera screening for retinopathy of prematurity, utilizing AI-powered precision, is now available in remote regions.
Elmira Bositkhonova, Deputy Minister of Health, announced that all newborns will be screened for genetic and congenital diseases at the district and city levels starting in 2026, covering over 900,000 annual births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “Uzbekistan-2030” strategy?
A: It’s the national development strategy aiming to increase GDP and achieve upper-middle income status by 2030, with a strong focus on healthcare improvement.
Q: What is DMED?
A: It’s the unified national electronic information system that provides a single electronic medical card for citizens, streamlining healthcare data management.
Q: Is private healthcare becoming more common in Uzbekistan?
A: Yes, the private healthcare sector has more than tripled in size in recent years and now accounts for 30-35% of healthcare services.
Did you know? The National Children’s Hospital Center is the first public medical facility in Uzbekistan to receive accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI).
Pro Tip: Uzbekistan’s focus on digital health and AI integration positions it as a potential leader in innovative healthcare solutions within Central Asia.
Explore more about Uzbekistan’s economic development here.
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