Instructions given to improve the quality and expand the coverage of medical care

On February 25, 2020, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on important tasks in development of the healthcare system and improving the quality of medical services.

Fr om the first days of his activity, the Head of the state determined the maintenance of peaceful life and strengthening health of people as the most important areas of social reforms. Over the past years, large-scale transformations have been carried out in this area.

Concept for Development of the Healthcare System in 2019-2025 and the corresponding program was approved by the Decree of the President of December 7, 2018. In all regions of the country, new clinics are being built, existing ones are being provided with modern equipment. The private health sector is actively developing along with state institutions. Due to the expansion of the list of types of medical activities from 50 to 126, the provision of a number of benefits, 634 private medical organizations were organized last year.

A single centralized system of emergency medical care was created, which is most in demand among the population. The number of ambulance crews increased from 818 to almost 2 thousand. Fleet of specialized cars is updated.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in his Address to the Oliy Majlis in January this year, noting that reforms in the sphere will continue, outlined his ideas for improving the quality of medical services, developing the private health sector, ensuring equity and a competitive environment.

Measures for implementing these tasks were discussed at the meeting.

The need for improving the quality and coverage of specialized medical care was indicated.

It was noted that there are 23 doctors for every 10 thousand people in the country. No due attention is paid to the professional development of medical personnel. A vertical system has not been formed between specialized centers and regional institutions.

It was noted that the principle of social justice is not observed when issuing medical warrants; only state institutions participate in this process, which lim its competition. In this regard, instructions were given for improving and ensuring the openness of the system for issuing orders.

The healthcare financing system has also been critically analyzed. It was noted that 20-30 percent of the funds are used inefficiently. The share of investments in primary healthcare is 35-40 percent. This figure abroad exceeds 60 percent.

Equal conditions for state and private medicine have not been created, and a competitive environment has not been formed. The lack of an electronic reporting system does not allow to analyze the effectiveness of spending.

The importance of improving the mechanisms for financing the sphere, the adoption of relevant laws and phased implementation of compulsory health insurance was emphasized.

There are also shortcomings in training and professional development of personnel. Therefore, only 12 higher education institutions have the right to carry out continuous training. Currently, 50 percent of doctors are not covered by this system.

In this regard, it was entrusted to revise this system, expand access to it by organizing continuing education courses in Nukus and regional centers, and create convenience for specialists. The necessity of organizing Ibn Sina schools instead of medical colleges whose working methods are outdated, the organization of the educational process and practical training based on modern requirements was noted.

It was emphasized that local health departments have turned into bureaucratic structures and are not conducting systematic work to analyze the incidence in their region. Heads of regional medical associations are simultaneously the chief physicians of central hospitals, and therefore give priority to medical work.

The Head of the state paid special attention to the issues of prevention of diseases and noted that the authorities in the sphere should focus on this particular aspect. The importance of the widespread adoption of a healthy lifestyle among the population, promotion of proper nutrition and benefits of walking for health was noted.

Responsible persons of the sphere presented information on the planned work for completing the tasks.